'Short of the mark': Bendigo health workers to rally for a better deal
Health workers will rally outsideBendigo Healthon Thursday, July 9, in their campaign for a better pay deal after the union claimed they had received a state government offer which was "very much short of the. . .
Health workers will rally outsideBendigo Healthon Thursday, July 9, in their campaign for a better pay deal after the union claimed they had received a state government offer which was "very much short of the mark". Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingSave 30%All articles from our website& appThe digital version ofToday'sPaperAll otherin your areaThe Victorian Allied Health Professional Association represents a wide range of workers in different specialties, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists. The association's executive officer Andrew Hewat was keen to the let the public know what they were rallying for. "So our wages claim is actually for 36 per cent over three years, which sounds expensive when you look at that number without any context," Mr Hewat said. Aleisha Jobling, Emily Liels and Julia Culvenor. Picture suppliedMr Hewat said the substantial increase was due to workers not being paid accordingly in the first place. "The Fair Work Commission highlighted that allied health professionals have been undervalued for a long period of time, and have recommended significant uplifts to the award that underpins our enterprise agreement," he said. However, he said they were offered substantially less than what they asked. "At this point, the government has only offered us just under 20 per cent, and so they're falling well short of what we've claimed," Mr Hewat said. Healthcare worker perspectiveJulia Culvenor works as a physiotherapist at Bendigo Health and expressed her disappointment at what the state government was offering. "It doesn't respect the expertise and the value that allied health professionals provide the public health sector in Victoria, and doesn't, I think, accurately reflect the essential role we play in providing care to our local populations," Ms Culvenor said. While increased pay and better conditions were on the agenda for the group, Ms Culvenor also wanted the community to understand what they were doing and why. "I'm keen to promote what we as a union and workforce are trying to achieve," she said. She hopes this would lead to more "public engagement and support for us in this fight". Mr Hewat also supported these goals of the rally. Andrew Hewat giving a speech at a rally. Picture supplied"The idea behind having a rally at the front of the hospital is to raise awareness of the campaign that we're running to get improvements in our enterprise agreement," he said. "It's about raising awareness both within the health service, but also with the general public. "Negotiating in good faith, government saysThestate governmenthas responded to the upcoming rally and pace of negotiations with a spokesperson saying negotiations were continuing in "good faith". "Across Victoria, healthcare workers deserve to be valued and respected," the spokesperson said. "We are working towards a fair deal that acknowledges their contribution. "Bendigo Health has also responded through a spokesperson, saying the organisation supported the right of workers to take part in such action. They have also assured patients that services would not be greatly disrupted. "Our priority is to continue delivering safe, high-quality care and services while engaging in good faith negotiations to reach a fair and sustainable agreement," the spokesperson said. "Contingency plans are in place to minimise disruption and maintain services for patients and consumers. "The rally will take place on Mercy Street from noon to 1. 30pm on Thursday, July 9. More from HealthAs it happensBreaking news alertBe the first to know when news breaks.