PUBLIC HEALTH MEMBERS UPDATE 11 JUNE 2022

UP TO $3000 PAYMENTS TO PUBLIC HEALTH HWU MEMBERS

To recognise Victorian public healthcare workers, a one-off Healthcare Worker Winter Retention and Surge Payment will be made to ALL (Yes, ALL!) clinical and non-clinical staff of up to $3000!  This payment package of $353 million is funded by the Victorian Government. 

This is a huge win for our HWU members! Congrats to all HWU members, delegates and officials who fought so hard for this well-earned win!

The HWU has lobbied the Victorian Government hard for this payment. Our members will recall the debacle of last year’s selective and unfair surge allowance payments, which caused deep division within our public hospital system as many classifications missed out (and clinical workers received more than non-clinical workers). That was unfair. Across workplace meetings and in our HWU Member Assist Call Centre, we heard the outcry from our members and the HWU lobbied hard for ALL public health workers to be treated equally. This issue has now been resolved to include ALL non-clinical public health provider employees.

WHAT IS THE WINTER RETENTION SURGE PAYMENT?

The Victorian Government is aware that this winter will continue to bring serious challenges for health services. Our hospitals are currently understaffed. Our HWU members are overworked. There is a real concern that the public hospital system will suffer under extreme pressure this winter if the workforce is not retained. In short, your worth is finally being recognised!

All staff employed in public health services will now be eligible for a payment of $3,000. (Please note this payment is subject to tax). Part-time, casual and new staff employed on or after 1 July, who are still employed on 30 September 2022, are eligible for a pro-rata equivalent of the payment. Payment will occur over two pay periods, 15 August and 30 September, with more detail to be communicated by services in the lead-up.

To be clear, you must be directly employed by a public health provider as at 1 July 2022 and still be employed by that employer as at 30 September, 2022. That’s the criteria. If you meet this criteria, you will be paid the bonus. It’s that simple.

IS EVERY PUBLIC HEALTH WORKER ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE IT?

ALL staff employed in public health services by a public helath service provider will be eligible for a payment of $3,000. This includes ALL non-clinical classifications - such as admin workers, security officers, ward clerks, PSA’s SSA’s, FSA’s, kitchen workers, cleaners and environmental services, storepersons, dental workers, allied health workers, pathology workers, theatre techs, instrument techs, pharmacy techs and public aged care workers. In fact, every single worker in every classification employed directly by a public health service.

CONTRACTED EMPLOYEES

Regrettably, contracted employees working within our public hospital system (such as Spotless, ISS and Compass employees) will not be paid the Winter Retention Bonus at this stage. The HWU is making direct representations to the Victorian Government and to these private employers to match the $3000 payment. These workers deserve a Healthcare Worker Winter Retention and Surge Payment just as much as public health provider employees.

WHEN DOES THE MONEY FLOW THROUGH?

Payment will occur over two pay periods, 15 August 2022 and 30 September 2022, with more detail to be communicated to ALL employees by your employer in the lead-up to these dates. It is likely the money will be paid in the pay periods following these two dates. 

PART-TIME AND CASUAL WORKERS

Part-time and casual employers will be eligible to receive a pro-rata equivalent payment and not the full $3000. The HWU has sought advice from the Victorian Government about how this pro-rata payment is calculated. Many part-time employees, for instance, do well above their contracted hours of employment. Our understanding is that this pro-rata payment will likely be calculated based on your rostered hours during this 1 July to September 30 period. If you work more than your contracted or normal hours during this period, your pro-rata payment should reflect this. The HWU is seeking confirmation in writing on this important detail from the Victorian Government.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, please see the following two links below from the Victorian Government. If you have any questions, call the HWU on (03) 9341 3300 from 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) or email info@hwu.org.au. Please note, the HWU Member Assist Call Centre will re-open on Tuesday 14 June from 8.30am. 

Further information links from the Victorian government:

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/news/healthcare-worker-winter-retention-surge-payment

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/more-support-healthcare-workers