Over 200 NT public health workers launch industrial action in pay row
Health Services Union SA/ NT said Allied Health professionals are the lowest paid in Australia and the “less-than-average” pay offer does not change that.
More than 200 NT public health workers are initiating industrial action from Wednesday aimed at disrupting the NT Government’s bottom line in response to an “abysmal” pay offer.
The action follows six months of negotiations with the Finocchiaro Government for a new Enterprise Agreement.
After the NT Government called for a vote on the agreement offering 12.5 per cent over four years against the advice of the unions, members from Health Services Union SA/ NT are campaigning to vote against the deal.
According to the Health Services Union (HSU) SA/NT which represents a wide range of Allied Health professionals including physiotherapists, radiographers and social workers, public health workers in the Northern Territory are the lowest paid in the country.
Under the new Enterprise Agreement offered by the government, this would not change.
As a result, HSU members in the Northern Territory have voted in favour of taking industrial action and are launching the first stage from Wednesday.
In action aimed at the government, members will be banning non-clinical administrative tasks, limiting attendance to non-clinical meetings and banning entering Medicare codes or other billing information.
Members will also be publicly campaigning and asking other public sectors to vote against the deal throughout the next month.
Billy Elrick, HSU SA/NT Branch secretary, said the move was always a last resort and members would ensure patient care continued during this period.
But without intervention, service delivery in the Northern Territory becomes even more unsustainable.
“The HSU only uses industrial action as a last resort, but we are unfortunately at a point in which there’s no other option,” Mr Elrick said.
“Something has to change, or health services will continue to suffer.
“Over the last several years, Allied Health professionals in the NT have gone from being among the highest paid in the country to the lowest.
“This Enterprise Agreement only entrenches low pay and will leave Territorians fighting for better services for the next four years.”
The HSU is seeking 18.5 per cent wage increases over three years, an Allied Health-specific annexure to ensure consistent conditions across all disciplines, a $2500 professional development allowance, stronger workloads protection and improved incentives for regional and remote work.
“Allied Health are preparing to vote no to this less-than-average deal,” Mr Elrick said.
“The HSU is calling on the Finocchiaro Government to intervene, deliver a fair deal, and bring this dispute to an end immediately.”
Public Employment Minister Jo Hersey previously said the 12.55 per cent pay increase was a “fair offer” with some of the “most generous leave entitlements in the country”.
The NT Government said it while they respected the bargaining process and the role of the unions, it was important that employees had their say.
“Putting the Enterprise Agreement to a ballot allows all staff to consider the offer directly. The offer is fair, sustainable and within the NTPS Wages Policy,” an NT Government spokesperson said.
“Direct pay comparisons don’t reflect the full picture. NTPS conditions are among the most generous in the country, with significant leave and workplace entitlements. Pay also varies with classifications, loadings and allowances, particularly in regional and remote areas.
“The offer provides a 12.55 per cent increase over four years while maintaining broad NTPS conditions. It balances fairness for staff with long-term affordability so services remain sustainable.
“The offer provides additional specific improvements for professional staff, which we believe are competitive. HSU and Allied Health staff are encouraged to inform themselves of the value of these and consider this in their view about the offer.”
The spokesperson said NTG valued Allied Health staff and the work they did.
“They are essential to patient care in the Territory, and we acknowledge the pressures they face, especially in regional and remote settings,” they said.
“We respect the right of staff to take protected industrial action under the Fair Work Act 2009. Patient safety remains our top priority. We note the union’s advice that essential clinical services will continue and we welcome that commitment.”
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Originally published as Over 200 NT public health workers launch industrial action in pay row
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