Here's the latest from HP Negotiations

Hi,

It's Kim again from your HP EB Steering Committee.

Before I give an update on Tuesday's negotiations in a nutshell, this is where we are at:

• 5 days until the current HP EB1 expires (31st of August 2010)
• A wage offer of only 2.5% per annum (less than the current rate of CPI)
• Queensland Government and Health have not agreed to any suggestions put forward by union delegates see ours here
• Queensland Government and Health have stated they will cut rural allowances for all Category A centres. A loss of $60/ week for HPs in this area.
• Queensland Government and Health will cut student supervision allowance of $10 a day.
• Queensland Government and Health will add a barrier for HP's trying to progress past HP3.2
• Queensland Government and Health will cut a week of annual leave from radiographers and physicists
• September 7 we can begin to take direct action if we continue to have our reasonable claims ignored and instead given cut-backs to our conditions.
  

So, it's been another interesting week but before I give some detail about this week's negotiations I'd like to congratulate my fellow HPs at the Royal precinct and the PAH where we had over 300 HPs taking time to get together at lunchtime meetings and show that they are determined not have their hard won conditions stripped away or accept a pay cut in real terms.

The momentum is building among our members and it's hardly surprising given the Government seemingly unable to move on any improvements for HPs and only bringing to the table cuts to conditions and pay.

I'll try and be as brief as possible because I know how busy we all are but please take the time to read these emails as it will give you a snapshot on what HPs are facing in these negotiations.

This week we put to the Government our claims around Work/Life Balance, Workload Management and Leave Entitlements Claims (you can click here to see the HP union members' claims) but basically we are seeking improvements that will not only be beneficial to HPs but also to Queensland Health in attracting and retaining quality HPs in Queensland.

Sound fair? We thought so, but again the Government wanted to argue the toss with everything from improvements to personal leave to care for elderly parents and kids/dependants to backfilling positions. The say that there are no improvement needed and that Queensland Health is very "family friendly".

The response from the Government representative of "What do HPs need for them to take care of their kids that other workers don't need" completely missed the point.

There seemed to be an aversion to taking these issues seriously as it might set a precedent for others workers in Health. Well of course union members hope to make improvements for all and hope that they flow on to others but the Government should practice what they preach.

As a HP I know how hard we all work and how important our work is to Queensland and to the Governments bottom line. I also know that when we all join together in this campaign we can make sure the Government gives us the respect and recognition we deserve. You know what they say "the more the merrier".

Keep up the great work.
Kim Crisp
HP EB Steering Committee

PS. will you help by asking another HP to join the HP Stronger Together union? It easy and one of the most important things you can do to make your campaign stronger. Go to our campaign signup page and I will get a HP Stronger Together union delegate or organiser to contact you over the next few weeks .