'We are not valued': union warns of health worker exodus at Bendigo rally
Amanda Oates says allied health professionals are constantly burning out. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingSave 30%All articles from our website& appThe digital version. . .
Amanda Oates says allied health professionals are constantly burning out. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingSave 30%All articles from our website& appThe digital version ofToday'sPaperAll otherin your areaThe radiation therapist took part in a protest rally with several of her colleagues outside Bendigo Health on Thursday, July 9. The rally was aimed at securing better pay and conditions for allied health professionals which, according to Ms Oates, are desperately needed. Bendigo radiation therapist Amanda Oates at the protest rally on Thursday, July 9. Picture by Enzo Tomasiello"It's incredibly demoralising," she said. "We're always having issues with staffing [and people] moving interstate . . . we're always trying to recruit staff. "Workers rallying outside Bendigo Health. Picture by Enzo TomasielloMs Oates said she and her fellow workers were left with the impression that they were not treated on the same level as doctors or nurses. "Our allied health professionals, they're seen as not essential, they're not valued, and they're not seen as a sort of health profession," she said. Union warningIt has prompted aunionwarning of a possible exodus of health workers to other states if theVictorian governmentdoes not listen to their demands. The Victorian Allied Health Professionals Association typically represents physiotherapists, social workers, sonographers and people in similar fields. "We've got health allied health professionals who are leaving Victoria, going to New South Wales and Queensland, who are getting much better pay rates," the association's executive officer Andrew Hewat said. "They're leaving, going into the private sector. "They're going off and getting jobs in the NDIS or they're setting up their own businesses because they can get paid so much better and get the respect that they're not getting at the moment from the state government. "The association had asked for a pay rise of 36 per cent over three years, which Mr Hewat said was a reasonable request. "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. The state government offered less than 20 per cent, leading to statewide rallies. Workers made it clear who they were most unhappy with. Picture by Enzo TomasielloNegotiations 'ongoing'Despite the snag in negotiations, a state government spokesperson maintained negotiations were continuing "in good faith," and said "we are working towards a fair deal that acknowledges their contributions". However, Mr Hewat took a diplomatic approach to the government's stance, saying "the important thing is the negotiations are still ongoing". He said the association had a specific plan in its campaign. Allied health professional outside the front of Bendigo Health calling for better pay and conditions on Thusrday, July 9. Pictures by Enzo Tomasiello"These sort of actions are designed to raise the temperature, the pressure on the government, and if nothing else, it's bringing attention to the executives at these hospitals of what we really do," he said. From there, he hopes the pressure will lead to "a genuine offer that we can take to the members that they can accept". Thursday's rally was held outside Bendigo Health on the corner of Mercy and Barnard Street. Dozens of health workers waved signs at passing motorists, encouraging them to honk their horns in support as their fight for a better deal continues. More from HealthAs it happensBreaking news alertBe the first to know when news breaks.