PRIVATE HEALTH HWU MEMBERS UPDATE:

FIGHT FOR $3000 RETENTION PAYMENT

As you know, the Victorian Government has announced a $373 million package to fund a Healthcare Worker Winter Retention and Surge Payment to all public hospital employees.

The payment ensures all public health employees, both clinical and non-clinical, receive $3000 (pro-rata for casual and part-time) in payments. (Only public hospital employees receive this payment).

Regrettably, the payment does not go to private hospital employees, private pathology employees or contracted-out employees working in public hospital settings. The HWU wants to ensure that Victorian private health workers are not left behind.

FIGHT FOR $3000 FOR PRIVATE HEALTH WORKERS

The HWU believes it is important that our members working for private employers do not go unrewarded for their hard work and commitment. You have been the backbone of our health system during the COVID pandemic. You are just as deserving of a $3000 payment as public health employees. We will continue to fight for you to get this payment.

Many private employers have secured record profits during the course of the last two years. Many employers, particularly in private pathology, have secured whopping government contracts which have impacted massively on their bottom line and profit margins.

HWU HAS INITIATED DISCUSSIONS

Last week, the HWU wrote to the 16 largest private health employers in Victoria requesting they match the Victorian Government’s $3000 Winter Retention and Surge Payment. We have also been in multiple direct discussions with the Victorian Government and the Department of Health about this issue. We have also requested that the Victorian Health Minister write to your employer to urge them to consider (and in some cases reconsider) making this payment to all employees. (See links below).

We will keep you updated about the progress of our discussions with the Victorian Government as well as any correspondence we receive from your Chief Executive Officer. 

OPEN TO ALL OPTIONS

Note that some private employers, (such as Ramsay Health, Healthe Care, Spotless, ISS and Compass), are currently in discussions with the union about their next Enterprise Agreement. The HWU is open to pursuing a retention payment as part of negotiations. We will explore all available options in the fight to secure this payment on behalf of our members.

PLEASE SIGN THE HWU PETITION

https://www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/3000-retention-payment-for-private-health-workers

In the meantime, please join other HWU members in signing the petition to urge private health employers to seriously consider making this payment to all their employees. (See petition link above). Please send this petition link to as many of your work colleagues as possible.

If you have any questions, please call the HWU on (03) 9341 3300 during business hours or email info@hwu.org.au. Together, we are stronger!

Click on the following links to download:

HWU Letter to Victorian Health Minister

Victorian Government Winter Surge & Retention Payment

https://www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/3000-retention-payment-for-private-health-workers