Aged care union demands Tasmanian Southern Cross Care CEO to resign

Aged care workers are demanding Southern Cross Care’s CEO to resign over “chronic mismanagement”. She’s now threatening legal action in response. THE STOUSH >>

A union’s call to sack the head of Southern Cross Care has prompted threats of legal action from the CEO, who claims she has been defamed, bullied, and intimidated.

The stoush erupted after the Health and Services Union passed a vote of no confidence against the Tasmanian CEO Robyn Boyd.

The union is demanding that she resign immediately over what they claim is “chronic mismanagement” and under-resourcing over the course of her leadership.

They say it will be the first time that an aged care workforce has voted to kick out their own CEO in the history of Tasmania.

One of the voters was Donna Ropata, who has worked at the Glenara Lakes Aged Care Facility in Launceston for the past 11 years.

Ms Ropata said it used to be one of the best aged care facilities back in her day, but now suffers from serious understaffing under the new management.

“It’s pretty horrific there at the moment. The management are saying there’s plenty of staff there but it isn’t. It’s written on paper but not in real life,” Ms Ropata said.

“The reason why we stay is for the residents.”

Ms Boyd said she had been singled out for personal attack by the union since her first day on the job.

CEO Southern Cross Care Tas Robyn Boyd. Picture: Chris Kidd

She said one of the “untruths” put forward by the union was that the Rivulet and Rosary Garden homes were under sanction, when in actual fact they were under a “notice to agree”.

A sanction is a penalty handed down by the health regulator for continually not meeting minimum requirements, whereas a notice to agree is a warning to lift their standards.

Ms Boyd said HACSU was undermining the aged care sector that they purported to represent, turning away potential employees and causing distress to residents.

“What’s concerning, disappointing and hurtful for me is the stress this is causing our residents and families, continually putting negative stories in the media that are factually incorrect,” Ms Boyd said.

“I find HACSU extremely aggressive and I find their bullying tactics intimidatory. I’ve not experienced that before in my 20 years in the aged care sector.

“I have to question if it’s in relation to my being a female CEO, because when we look at other aged care providers in Tasmania I don’t see the same level of media attention, aggression or defamatory comments.”

A HACSU spokesman said their vote had nothing to do with Ms Boyd’s gender and everything to do with their work conditions.

The spokesman said they made no apology and would not be scared off by Ms Boyd’s legal threats.

“We have a legal team and we’ll fight it all the way,” the spokesman said.

“Members are very fired up about what’s happening, and no one’s going to be intimidated by threats of legal action.”

Originally published as Aged care union demands Tasmanian Southern Cross Care CEO to resign