Doctors union votes no to four-year pay freeze

An overwhelming 'no' vote for a four-year pay cut has been delivered by Territory doctors.

RDH in crisis Dr Thomas Fowles President ASMOF NT Picture Julianne Osborne

UPDATE, APRIL 11: TERRITORY doctors have voted "no" to a four-year pay freeze offer by the Government in exceptional numbers.

 

90.4 per cent of medical officers rejected the offer, with 43.92 per cent turning out to have their say, according to the doctor's union. 

It is the single highest no vote in the history of medical officers in the NT.

Australian Salaries Medical Officers NT president Tom Fowles said the union welcomed the result.

“This is a great result for all Territorians - Gunner’s plan to cut pay within the health service will drive doctor’s interstate," he said.

" Fewer doctors mean longer waiting lists and more overcrowded emergency departments."

Mr Fowles said it was a surprise the offer was even on the table, given the state of health systems in Australia amid the global pandemic. 

"We hope that this embarrassing rejection will motivate the government to return to the table, otherwise they risk the health of all Territorians,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Chief Minister said negotiations would continue with the union, which joined correctional officers and teachers in rejecting the EBA.

“We respect our hardworking medical officers and we will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the union’s demand for a wage increase would require job cuts that our health system cannot afford,” the spokesperson said.

“The wages policy is set and has already been voted up in the General NTPS Enterprise Agreement.”

INITIAL, MARCH 29: TERRITORY correctional officers are ready to walk off the job after a protected industrial action was declared successful, according to their representing union.

The ballot was voted for last week.

“Correctional officers have sent a clear message to the Gunner government, that a four-year wage freeze is not acceptable and their safety is non-negotiable,” United Workers Union NT secretary Erina Early said.

“Correctional Officers are gearing up to walk off the job if the government continues with

their wage freeze.

“Corrections are at crisis levels with diminishing staffing levels, crowded prisons, lack of

appropriate funding, riots and safety of officers.”

Ms Early said more workers across the NT were moving to protected industrial action, including City of Darwin depot workers who are considering lodging an application with the Fair Work Commission. She said protected action was suspended for St John NT paramedic, patient transport, and emergency medical dispatchers while a revised offer is out for a formal vote.

“Workers in the Territory are continuing to unite to send their employers and the Government

that poor enterprise agreement offers will not be tolerated,” Ms Early said.

“The Government’s four-year wage freeze is having a significant adverse effect on non-government workers’ wages and conditions.”

The NT government has been contacted for comment.