A formal offer for your wages and conditions for the next three years and HP appeals update

Hi,

We have a formal offer from QHealth for your HP wages and conditions for the next 3 years!

Read on to find out more - this is an important week for all HPs.

See also an update on HP Appeals below.

Just as our hardworking members in Queensland Health other than HPs deservedly get a payrise this week of 4%. Also federal politicians are to receive an annual increase of 4.1% however the wage rise offer to HPs from Queensland Health is just 2.5% per year for the next 3 years.

With cost of living going up and being more than the 2.5% the Government is offering is a pay cut in real terms.

This along with the Governments proposals to strip back conditions means HPs need to be standing together to show the Government they simply don't deserve lack of respect and recognition for the work they do:

What does the Government offer say?

• 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 what they've said no to here (see www.hpstrongertogether.com/resources-100906.html)
• Queensland Government and Health have stated they will cut rural allowances for all Category A centres (click here to see old QHealth Districts which cover Cat.A).
• 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.

Delegates are meeting tomorrow on Tuesday 7th September to discuss this offer, at this stage our advice is to reject the offer and continue to campaign to keep existing conditions and improve them.

Do you want to know what is next in our campaign to get a better offer? Email hp@qpsu.org.au to get an action pack!

Appeals Update

Agreement has been reached on the appeal process for Phase 2.

Very shortly the final documents will be posted on the QLD Health Website and our website as well.

Those employees who submitted an intent to appeal will have until 29th October 2010 to submit all their appeal material. For those groups who have not got a finalized phase 2 evaluation we are hoping to have that process completed in time to enable you to lodge by this due date, however there may be a different closing date for those groups.

We will advise employees further on that point.

There will be education session for appellants so do not panic and rush your appeals, wait until you have had a chance to listen to the education session, the details of which will be advised shortly.

The union will also be preparing some information material for appellants and delegates to assist you in the appeal process. This will be posted on our website shortly. Whilst we understand that a lot of members have been focused on the appeals from phase 2, it is necessary to ensure that you are not diverted from the HP enterprise 2 negotiations and campaign.

A Last Word…

These negotiations will affect your working conditions for the next three years. Many members have been frustrated with the time it has spent to reach agreement with Queensland Health on the appeals process, but remember it is Queensland Health that wins if your frustration weakens your resolve to improve and protect your conditions in this round of enterprise bargaining. We know that Queensland Health wants to restrict all Health Practitioners to a pay rise that does not even match the cost of living, we know that Queensland Health wants to abolish clinical student supervision allowances, we know that Queensland Health wants to abolish rural allowance, we know Queensland Health wants to reinsert career barriers to stop Health Practitioners progressing.

Talk to your delegates about how you can become involved in the campaign or click here to register and be involved http://www.hpstrongertogether.com/involved.htm.

In union,
Kate
Kate Flanders
A/General Secretary

P.S If you are not yet a member and want to join your fellow HPs in the campaign for the respect and recognition you deserve click here http://www.hpstrongertogether.com/join.htm