BY SUSAN AUSTIN
CAIRNS Non-nursing health unions have agreed to the enterprise bargaining agreement offered by the Queensland health department which involves a pay rise of 3.5% per annum, back-paid to June 1, and retention of many of the gains in working conditions won in the last EBA.
One of the unions to ballot its members about the offer was the Queensland Public Sector Union, whose ballot closed on October 7. Only 37% of ballots were returned. Of those, 85% (1165 members) voted in favour of the agreement and 9% (130 members) voted against. There were 77 informal votes. Based on this ballot, the QPSU will certify the agreement.
A date for certification is set for early November, following Queensland Health's balloting of all employees.
The new EBA will cover the next 39 months, instead of the two-year agreement sought by unions. Many health workers are unhappy with the offer, particularly the poor pay rise, the increased length of the agreement, and the lack of progress on issues such as rural and remote incentives and parenting leave.
"Health unions firmly believe that the above outcome was the best result they could achieve from the government following a three month intensive industrial campaign and arduous negotiations with the Queensland government", stated Grace Grace, general secretary of the Queensland Council of Unions.
Meanwhile, nurses are awaiting the outcome of their submission to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission for an interim award, involving an interim pay rise of 10%, while their EBA is being arbitrated.
From Green Left Weekly, October 23, 2002.
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