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Should HACSU Change its Name?

The name of your Union is under review because even though we are a National Union with Branches in all States there are currently six different names in use. Your feedback on the name of the Union is therefore needed by the end of November 2002.

As you are probably aware HACSU is part of a National Union called the Health Services Union of Australia (HSUA). Officially, the Tasmanian Branch of the Union is called the HSUA Tasmania No.1 Branch although for the past ten years or so we have been operating under the name of the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU). The reason the Branch in Tasmania chose a different name was that many of our members work in the Community Services Industry and so "HACSU" was a name which better reflected the unions coverage in Tasmania.

The Union nationally is made up of eleven Branches operating across six states.

At a National Level the union is governed by a National Council and a National Executive. HACSU in Tasmania has eight elected Delegates to the National Council and the Tasmanian State Secretary is a member of the National Executive.

The Union's National Council and National Executive have supported a consultation process with members across Australia regarding a name change for the Union.

The Name change has been suggested because branches across the Union are using a range of names to operate by. It is argued that this prevents the Union from developing a "national identity" in policy and media terms.

For example, the names currently used by Branches across Australia are as follows:

South Australia Health Services Union of Australia (HSUA)

Western Australia Health Salaried Officers Association (HSOA)

Victoria No.1 Branch Health Services Union of Australia (HSUA)
No.2 Branch Health and Community Services Union (HACSU)
No.3 Branch Australian Health Professionals Association (AHPA)
No.4 Branch Medical Scientists Association of Victoria (MSVA)
No.5 Branch Health Services Union of Australia (HSUA)

Tasmania No.1 Branch Health and Community Services Union (HACSU)
No.2 Branch Health Services Union of Australia (HSUA)

Queensland Health Services Union of Australia (HSUA)

NSW Health and Research Employees Association (HREA)

At its meeting on Wednesday 23 October, the National Council short listed 3 names to be used in consultation with members.

These are:

Health and Community Services Union (HACSU)

Health Services Union (HSU)

Australia Health Union (AHU)

A survey form headed "Should HACSU Change Its Name?" has been distributed to HACSU delegates and Worksite Committee Representatives to get members views. Alternatively you can provide your view directly to us by using the regular feedback form on this site.

Any name change is what we will have to live with for many years to come so it is important to get it right.

If you wish to discuss this further please feel free to contact your HACSU Industrial Organiser, the HACSU Helpline (1300 880032) or telephone Chris Brown the State Secretary on (03) 6231 2253.