Healthcare Workers Union demand 4.5 per cent pay increase
Victoria’s Healthcare Workers Union is pushing for up to 55,000 workers to receive a 4.5 per cent pay rise each year, with leaders saying the state’s “frontline heroes” deserve a “decent” pay increase.
Victoria
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Victoria’s Health Workers Union is pushing for 55,000 workers to receive a 4.5 per cent pay rise each year as it bargains for a new deal with 86 public providers across the state.
Enterprise negotiations for public-sector staff working in the industry have begun and the current deal, signed in 2016, is set to end on October 1.
This agreement does not include doctors and nurses but instead covers tens of thousands of healthcare staff such as cleaners, patient services assistances, ward clerks, theatre technicians and administration workers.
The union is asking for a 18 per cent pay increase over four years, 4 per cent higher than the previous deal.
It is also well above the Andrews Government’s current wages policy which requires annual wage increases capped at 2 per cent.
HWU state secretary Diana Asmar said staff deserved the pay increase her union was asking for.
“Our public hospital workers are among the lowest paid Victorians,” she said.
“Don’t call them frontline heroes and then pay them peanuts.
“Without them the health system stops. They deserve a decent pay increase.”
In a letter to members, the union also said the state’s wages policy was announced before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Public health workers should not be penalised for the parlous state of the Victorian government’s finances,” the letter reads.
“The HWU believes heroes deserve much more than a measly 2 per cent pay rise.”
The union is also asking for a 4.5 per cent increase on the uniform allow each year. an additional week’s leave and for free, discounted or subsides carparking for staff.
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