Australian Services Union (Victorian Authorities & Services
Branch)
16 December 2009
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| Australian Services Union (Victorian Authorities & Services
Branch)
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16 December 2009
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Rally a success!
Union members from CHCs that are currently taking industrial action – Bendigo, Darebin, Dianella, Doutta Galla, EACH, Inner South, Isis Primary Care, Merri, and Western Region Health – and members from other CHCs braved the heat today to send a strong message to Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews and DHS that they need to sit down and negotiate with the union for improved pay and conditions.
Backed up by over a hundred members, delegates from each of the CHCs entered the DHS building armed with Christmas cards for Daniel Andrews demanding equal pay. When delegates were advised that no one would receive the cards, members decided to stage a sit-in until a rep from the Minister’s office came down to collect his early Christmas present. Shortly after, a representative from DHS came down to receive the cards.
Score: ASU 1 - DHS 0 !!
Industrial Update – ASU attends Fair Work Australia
The ASU was called into Fair Work Australia by VHIA on Monday for a conciliation conference. Despite an invitation, DHS failed to send anyone along to this session, which quickly reached an impasse. Another session at Fair Work Australia was heard yesterday, with DHS re-asserting that the 3% offer still stands, that their view of the matter is that it is between employers and employees to sort out, and that they do not get involved in the “nitty gritty”. All parties were cognisant of the impending Pay Equity case, which may alleviate members’ issues in the long term, but that in the interim all parties recognised the current EBA impasse needs to be sorted out. VHIA went away to consider if there are any other alternatives. We all know that this situation can’t be resolved without fair pay increases, which employers are unable to hand on without a funding increase delivered via DHS! Another Fair Work Australia conference has been booked for this coming Monday 21st December. The ASU will update all members with what happens and any progress or outcomes.
Keep Up the Pressure – Show Andrews how
much you all want equal pay!
In the meantime we remind all members and your supporters to keep jamming the Health Minister’s fax machine and sending those emails. If you have work bans in place still, keep these up as per notices to your employer until further notice. We still have not been asked to terminate our action by anyone, and it is important this continue to demonstrate to all parties (now FWA included) that we are serious about getting a better outcome. Any questions please get in touch with your ASU Organiser.
Link to email Andrews: http://www.asuvic.asn.au/767507.html
Photos of the SACS rally can be found here