VOTE YES PUBLIC SECTOR AGREEMENT

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF THE NEW PUBLIC SECTOR AGREEMENT

In addition to annual pay increases (pay increases will be backdated from July 1, 2021 with another pay increase to follow from July 1, 2022), the next Public Sector Agreement has many new and additional benefits. (See below).

The HWU strongly encourages you to VOTE YES. Voting opens Thursday 3 March and closes on Wednesday 16 March. If you have any questions about the new Agreement, please call the HWU on (03) 9341 3300 or email info@hwu.org.au

EXTRA WEEK OF ANNUAL LEAVE 

ALL employees affected by this Agreement will now be entitled to an extra week of Annual leave. Employees will now have an additional week of annual leave. After extensive consultation with our members, the claim for an extra week of annual leave was identified as extremely important. This is a big win by the HWU for our members.  

NAUSEOUS ALLOWANCE 

The nauseous allowance will return for affected classifications in the next Agreement. Again, after extensive consultation with our members, the claim for a nauseous allowance was identified as extremely important for affected classifications. This is another big win by the HWU for our members. 

LONG SERVICE LEAVE ACCESSIBLE AFTER 7 YEARS 

Thousands of HWU members have worked for their current employer for over 7 years, but no more than 10 years. Long service leave will now be accessible after 7 years on a pro-rata basis (phased-in from July 1 2021 – those who have 9 years will access pro-rata from 2021/2022; those with 8 years from 2022/2023; those with 7 years from 2023/24). 

SUPERANNUATION DURING PARENTAL LEAVE 

From 1 July 2021, the Employer will begin making Superannuation contributions throughout any period of parental leave, paid or unpaid. Such contributions will be calculated based on ordinary time earnings. The Weekly Parental Leave Super Contribution will be paid during each week of Parental Leave (both paid and unpaid) save that the Employee will receive a pro-rata payment for a period less than one (1) week; and where, during the period of parental leave (either paid or unpaid), the Employee's rate of pay increases. Employee's pre salary packaging earnings will be increased accordingly from the relevant date and superannuation paid on the increased amount. 

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO YOUR PAY & CONDITIONS 

• Portability of annual leave between health services (on election of employee) 
• Sick leave for medical appointments and planned medical procedures 
• Broadened criteria for flexible working arrangements 
• Improved part-time review of hours clause 
• Part-time review of hours after six months 
• Fairer rostering processes 
• A clear and fair process of approving annual leave 
• Full-time staff will be able to request an ADO and, if refused, can be disputed 
• Any vacancies of less than 16 hours per week must be offered internally first 
• PSA Code Grey/Black – PSA staff will now be medically assessed for suitability to attend codes. PSA’s required to respond to codes will now be paid and receive proper registered training 
• Employees will be able to make short-term changes to their contracts to undertake study or career-progression 
• An investment in your future career path opportunities with an additional 15 EFT workplace trainers
• A workload management clause will apply to ALL employees 
• Superannuation paid in to your acocunt monhtly, intead of quarterly

If you have any questions about the voting process, please contact your employer in the first instance. If you have any questions about the new Public Sector Agreement, please contact the HWU on (03) 99341 3300 or email info@hwu.org.au. To read the new Agreement, please click on the document link below:

Public Sector Agreement 2021-2025

JOIN THE HWU TODAY

The HWU was able to negotiate this Public Sector Agreement because of our strong union membership across Victoria's public hospitals. Please join your work colleagues by forwarding them this link and directing them to our online joining page at: https://www.hwu.org.au/get-involved/join-our-union. 

Because together, we are always stronger!