Calls for health boss to resign as Cairns Hospital staff await Covid payments

A union boss has called for the scalp of the region’s top health bureaucrat as Cairns Hospital staff wait weeks without being paid for Covid leave.

A UNION boss has called for the scalp of the region’s top health bureaucrat as Cairns Hospital staff wait weeks without being paid for Covid leave.

Electrical Trades Union organiser Rob Hill said six staff – electricians, refrigeration mechanics, plumbers and a labourer – have waited three weeks to get their leave payments.

Some were living pay cheque to pay cheque with the non-payment causing severe stress at home.

Mr Hill piled blame on Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) CEO Tina Chinery over media comments she made claiming staff were paid on Thursday.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service CEO Tina Chinery has earned the ire of the Electrical Trade Union over failed Covid payments. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We are calling for her resignation from the position effective immediately,” he said.

“Our members have not been paid, they are still waiting after we brought this issue to hospital staff including the chief executive.

“This shows blatant disrespect for our frontline workers who have worked in the hospital throughout the pandemic, the very least they should expect is to be paid what they’re owed.

“Ms Chinery has paid no mind to what kind of effect this has on members, and is not fit for the position of chief executive.”

Rob Hill of the Electrical Trades Union leads a protest on the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

A CHHHS spokeswoman said the payments had been expected on Thursday when the comments were made.

“However there was a discrepancy in the paperwork,” she said.

“This was resolved overnight and pays are being transferred (on Friday) as a priority.

“However depending on which bank the employee uses, this will impact which day the funds arrive in their bank account.

“It is expected to be today or within the next three working days.

The hospital staff are finally expected to be paid next week.

“We apologise for this delay in processing Covid special leave applications and we have allocated extra staff to speed up the processing of all applications.”

Mr Hill said the excuses were not good enough – particularly for one worker who was struggling to survive.

“The members have not been paid,” he said.

“This is disgusting behaviour from the hospital.

“One of our members is under severe financial hardship and stress, he was worried about how he would feed his family yesterday.

“Now another night goes by and he hasn’t been paid what he’s owed.”

Follow @chriscalcino

Originally published as Calls for health boss to resign as Cairns Hospital staff await Covid payments