Allied health workers across nine major Adelaide hospitals will strike in response to ‘chronic underfunding’
Allied health workers across nine major Adelaide hospitals will today stop work for up to 4.5 hours protesting “chronic underfunding” in their sector.
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Allied health workers across nine of South Australia’s public hospitals will today strike in protest of “chronic underfunding” resulting in inadequate staff and resources in the sector.
For the second time in a month, employees including radiographers, cardiac physiologists, sonographers and mental health workers from major hospitals including the Royal Adelaide Hospital will stop work for strikes between 3.5 and 4.5 hours.
The Health Services Union of South Australia said it held “grave concerns” for the state’s public health system due to the lack of funding.
“The health system is severely lacking the staff and resources necessary to adequately support the allied health workers caring for South Australians in hospital,” HSU’s Bron Larkins said.
“Health workers are suffering due the lack of action being taken by the Marshall Government to address their staffing and safety concerns, this must change.”
About 100 workers in total will strike, and will undertake a 4.5-hour stoppage between 8.30am and 1pm at the Modbury Hospital, Lyell McEwin Hospital, the Repat, Flinders, and Noarlunga Hospital.
Members at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Glenside Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, The Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre will stop work between 9am and 12.30pm.
Treasurer Rob Lucas said his office took emergency action with the Employment Tribunal on Thursday, as the strike action would “significantly impact” seven scheduled pacemaker surgeries.
“We just don't want to see industrial action that impacts on patient care,” Mr Lucas said.
The issue was resolved as some HSU Lyell McEwin staff members agreed not to take part in the strike.
He said the government was addressing their resourcing priority by recruiting 1920 health staff in South Australia.
“Their major priority, which is extra resources for health we agree with, and we’re addressing that particular issue,” he said.
At least one HSU member at each site will not participate in the strike due to patient safety.
Members will march from Adelaide University to Parliament House from 11am Friday.
HSU state secretary Billy Elrick wrote to the Department of Treasury and Finance, notifying them of the strike.
Mr Elrick said members had been left with “no option” but to take further industrial action to advance claims before a ballot, following a “disappointing” enterprise bargaining agreement undertaken on October 18.
Members undertook similar stop work actions last month, in rolling hour-long strikes across the various hospitals.
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