Health workers' dispute in negotiation
By Gabrielle Wheeler
MELBOURNE — The dispute between health workers in Victoria's public hospitals, and their employers and the Victorian government, has entered a 14-day "cooling-off" period, following a decision by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
All bans have been lifted for the duration of this period. Employers have agreed to refrain from undertaking retaliation in the form of legal action.
Following the IRC decision, the leadership of branches 3 and 4 of the Health Services Union of Australia assured members that they will do everything they can to ensure that an acceptable settlement is presented to members at the end of the 14 days. If no settlement is reached, members will need to decide on the next phase of their campaign.
Premier Jeff Kennett's program of cuts and privatisation of health care has placed the public health system in crisis. With the Victorian budget in surplus, the government can afford to make decent health care a priority.