Call the HACSU Helpline
1300 88 00 32

more info

Autumn 2005

Sharing the Crown Jewels - Hobart Private stalls on EBA Talks

Enterprise bargaining negotiations at the Hobart Private have stalled, with management delaying responding to HACSU members’ claim.

HACSU Industrial Organiser, Craig Stringer, said Hobart Private members deserved a pay rise and had claimed a reasonable 12.5% increase over three years.

"Management have said it themselves. This is "the jewel in their crown", one of their best performing hospitals out of the 27 they own. This doesn't just happen. This is because the employees are putting in, and are very productive," Craig Stringer said.

"Members at Hobart Private deserve a pay rise."

"What they don't deserve after making this such a profitable hospital is for management to propose a stripping away of redundancy and other benefits."

"They also don't deserve a wage offer that is well below comparable increases for other workers."

"With a well-organised worksite committee and a lot of HACSU members involved, I think management might find a strong and united response if they continue just to stall and refuse to recognise the sustained efforts of its workforce in providing services to clients."

Healthscope made an application to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission claiming a dispute over the EBA negotiation and the threat of industrial action by HACSU members.

The hearing was attended by Stuart McCullough (lawyer representing Healthscope), Katherine Berry, Tom Kleyn (HACSU Lead Organiser), Craig Stringer, Mark Fagan (HACSU Organisers), Christine Ewington, Faye Beamish (North West Private Hospital) Cliona Kennedy, Lance Cornish and Margaret Alomes (Hobart Private).

The outcome of the hearing which was held on the 18 March 2005 resulted in members getting a 1.75% wage increase effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 February 2005 and a commitment that Healthscope would consult with HACSU members regarding the EBA.

The parties are required to report back to the commission on the 12 April 2005 to advise the commission of the progress of the negotiations. During this period HACSU members are precluded from taking any industrial action.

There was discussion held after the hearing at St Helens Hospital for the purpose of clarification of each parties position in regards to each clause of the EBA.

There was a further negotiation meeting that took place on 30 March 2005 at St Helens Hospital which was attended by the above named people along with Ann Maguire (State Manager Healthscope). This meeting made progress on most matters but there are still some outstanding matters to be resolved and the most important one for members is the amount of the wage increase.

Report back meetings will be held at all Healthscope site prior to the 12 April 2005 so that HACSU Officials are aware of the views of members to report back to the commission.

Further updates will follow.