Upset hospital staff say they may strike over job recruitment at Northern Beaches Hospital

STAFF at Manly and Mona Vale hospitals are threatening strike action if they continue to be left in limbo over jobs at the new hospital.

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STAFF at Manly and Mona Vale hospitals say they may go on strike after finding out they won’t be able to apply for jobs at the new hospital until February next year.

The new privately-run Northern Beaches Hospital in Frenchs Forest is due to open on October 30, which will coincide with the closure of Manly Hospital and some of the services at Mona Vale Hospital.

The new hospital, which will be run by Healthscope, is looking for 1300 staff — more than are currently employed at both Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals — but staff say they don’t know whether the jobs will be like for like.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard visits the Northern beaches hospital site. Picture: Damian Shaw.

Medical staff, including doctors, nurses, midwives and others including cleaners and catering workers, represented by three unions, including the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, Health Services Union and Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation, want recruitment to begin in November.

And, the NSWNMA said their members are considering strike action if staff are left in limbo until February.

Nurse Lyn Hopper in front of Manly Hospital. Lyn is the Nurses and Midwives’ Association president for Manly branch.

Lyn Hopper, who works at Manly Hospital and is a representative for the NSWNMA, said “people are very upset and angry”.

“We’re just over 12 months out and we still don’t have any idea what these new jobs or conditions will look like,” she said.

“We are being treated like second rate citizens.

“We are currently working through what actions we can take.

Unhappy nurses and staff of Manly Hospital outside Manly Hospital. Adam Yip.

“Strike action has definitely not been ruled out.”

Ms Hopper said those who could not be matched to a similar role, or who don’t wish to work in the private sector, would be redeployed within the public system, but they could be offered a job anywhere in NSW.

And, she said it was understandable that some people felt anxious about what the future might hold.

HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said his members were “wracked with anxiety”.

“Management has had three years to sort this out and yet decisions keep getting deferred,” he said.

“It’s cruel and unfair. We are gearing up for a serious, sustained campaign … all options are on the table.”

Health Minister and local MP for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard said he was aware of concerns and said the Ministry of Health and its HR team had to be more responsive and proactive on this issue.

Northern Beaches Hospital, which is due to open on October 30, 2018. Picture: Damian Shaw.

“I share the unions concerns on this but I would like them to be more constructive in representing our local nurses and other staff,” he said.

Mr Hazzard said he would be looking to speed the process up, but also urged those who had concerns about the private system to “give it a go first” before making up their minds.

A spokesman for Northern Sydney Local Health District said they understood the situation was an “unsettling time for some staff”.

“Matching staff to similar roles at the new hospital is a complex process,” he said.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard visits the Northern Beaches Hospital site. Picture: Damian Shaw

“Should this process occur quicker than anticipated then the proposed timeline could be brought forward.

“The NSW Government has made a strong commitment to hospital staff by protecting the awards and entitlements of those who transfer to the new hospital for at least two years.

“All leave entitlements, including sick, annual and long service leave, will be honoured and will continue to accrue.

“Existing superannuation arrangements will continue, including for staff who are part of a defined benefit superannuation scheme.”

Meanwhile, Healthscope, said while there are some differences in term and conditions, many terms and conditions of Healthscope employment are similar to those of NSW Health. “Healthscope’s base pay rates for most nurses are currently above those of NSW Health nurses,” a spokesman said.