Thousands of allied health professionals working in Victoria’s public hospitals took part in a 24-hour strike on August 11 demanding better pay and working conditions.
Striking healthcare workers gathered outside the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Parkville where they heard from delegates and union officials.
Workers at the protest told Green Left that one of the main reasons for the strike was because allied health workers “need better working conditions and a genuine pay offer that keeps up with inflation”.
Julia, a delegate at Bendigo Health, spoke about the challenges of working in rural healthcare where it’s hard to retain staff and asserted that “everyone deserves to have access to high quality care”.
She pointed out that the Victorian State government refusal to value healthcare professionals will have disproportionate impacts on healthcare in rural areas.
Andrew Hewat , executive officer for Victorian Allied Health Professionals Associations (VAHPA) said “the state government has boxed us into a corner” and that “healthcare workers are being disrespected by the state government not giving a genuine offer”.
VAHPA is campaigning for a 38.16% pay increase over three years. While Victorian Labor’s latest offer is reportedly only about 19-21% over four years.
[Jacob Andrewartha is the Socialist Alliance candidate for Pascoe Vale in the Victorian elections in November.]
