On Thursday 6 November, ANMF (Vic Branch) participated in another conference before Commissioner Clarke of the Fair Work Commission. This conference was convened as a result of the Health and Community Service Union’s Application for a Protected Action Ballot Order.
Proposals discussed
At this conference, Healthscope rejected ANMF’s proposal that would have enabled members an independent vote on management’s salary packaging proposal.
It is now clear that Healthscope will not move from its position that any improved wages and entitlements will be contingent on the proposed salary packaging clause being included in the agreement.
A new employer proposal was confirmed by Healthscope today. While this does not meet the counter claim endorsed by members in September, it is an improvement on the original pay offer. The proposal would see:
- 4.25% increase from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025
- 2.25% increase from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2026
- 4.25% increase from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026
- 5.25% increase from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2027
with a nominal expiry date of 31 March 2028 (an improvement from the initial proposal which was 30 June 2028).
This proposal would bring Healthscope rates of pay to public sector comparability by July 2027 (comparing the May 2027 public sector rate of pay). Until then wages across most classifications will remain between 3.5 – 2.5 per cent behind the public sector rate.
As members know, a significant 9.4 per cent increase across many classifications is scheduled for November 2027 in the public sector which will mean that Healthscope wages will again fall significantly behind during the life of the proposed agreement.
Drafting meetings
ANMF has now met with Healthscope twice over the last week to discuss the written terms of the new agreement.
These meetings have highlighted a number of significant issues which include:
- ANMF representation on the Workload/Staffing Consultative Committee (to ensure adequate representation of ANMF membership, amongst other matters)
- Governance of employer directed redeployment (to ensure that members are only directed to be redeployed where it is safe and appropriate to do so)
- Governance of low occupancy periods (ANMF continues to seek that there is no new management entitlement to direct employees to take annual leave); and
- ANMF’s nurse in charge counter proposal which provides that the nurse in charge on night duty on rehabilitation, oncology, cardiac (with a CCU) and mental health wards would not have a patient allocation.
Healthscope has advised ANMF that it will provide revised wording on a number of matters on Friday 7 November.
Protected industrial action to continue
The response of ANMF members in taking all forms of protected industrial action in pursuit of a fair and reasonable agreement has been inspiring.
Members can continue all notified actions, including wearing your ANMF t-shirt, refusing redeployment, refusing overtime, all the awareness raising activities (such as discussions with patients/families, social media engagement and contacting traditional forms of media like talk-back radio and letters to the editor) and data bans.
ANMF has today responded to two concerns raised by Healthscope and has made a commitment to advise members as follows:
- ANMF advises members to complete the MHR 9.5 form (in lieu of Webpas). We also advise members that the MHR 9.5 form will need to remain with the patient record at all times, and any data that is required to be sourced should be collected post patient discharge.
- ANMF advises that members should not leave a procedure for reason of the ban on overtime where it is unsafe to do so.
An online members meeting will be scheduled for Monday 10 November at 4pm to discuss the Healthscope proposal and next steps. A members meeting notice has been sent.
Got a campaign question?
If you have any questions, please contact your local Job Representative or the ANMF Industrial Relations Organiser responsible for your site (see below) via records@anmfvic.asn.au. Please quote case ID 1083422 in the subject line.
Dorset Rehabilitation Centre – Camilla Ablitt-Collins
Geelong Clinic – Christian Sanderson
Holmesglen Private Hospital – Stephanie Bligh
John Fawkner Hospital – Lachlan Schacht
Knox Private Hospital – Linda Elliott
La Trobe Private Hospital – Julie Wearing-Smith
Melbourne Private Hospital – Jodi Dowler (relieving for Lyndal Alston)
Northpark Private Hospital – Julie Wearing-Smith
Ringwood Private Hospital – Linda Elliott
The Melbourne Clinic Private Hospital – Linda Elliott
Victoria Clinic Private Hospital – Narelle Hayes
Victorian Rehabilitation Centre – Jenna Bell
