Health workers rally statewide

Date: 17 July 2002

Queensland health workers will rally from Thursday Island to the Gold Coast on Thursday, July 18 to protest the lack of movement by the government in current enterprise bargaining negotiations in Queensland Health.

In Brisbane, health workers will march across the Goodwill Bridge and rally outside Parliament House.

QCU General Secretary Grace Grace said the State Wide Day of Action is aimed at highlighting health workers claims and issues with the government that better conditions are needed for better hospitals in Queensland.

"Members are frustrated and angry at the government's delaying tactics in negotiations which have been largely overshadowed by the nurses dispute," Ms Grace said.

"Health workers across the state have rejected the Government's 'take it or leave it' approach to these negotiations and are rejecting their 3% pay offer. This dispute is about more than just a pay rise, it is about keeping working conditions decent enough to attract and retain quality staff," she said.

"It takes a whole team to deliver good health care," Ms Grace said.

Rallies and marches are being held in every major regional centre as well as the south east corner with a very clear message - better conditions for health workers means a better health care system for all Queenslanders.

Health workers in regional areas are also planning on marching on their local member for Parliament to ensure their issues are addressed.

"The action will not endanger the health, safety or welfare of patients or the Queensland community," Ms Grace said.

Background

Health workers enterprise bargaining agreement expired on 31st May 2002. Union representatives and the Queensland government have been negotiating for a replacement agreement since December 2001. To date, there is no replacement enterprise bargaining agreement.

Queensland health workers have been taking part in rolling stoppages and workplace bans around Queensland for six weeks.

Main issues includes decent salaries, manageable workloads, improved training opportunities, job security, consultative processes and better management,"

Health workers include over 32,000 Queensland Health workers from the ABLF, ALHMU, AMWU, ASMOFQ, ASU - Clerical Div, CEPU - Plumbing Div, CEPU - Electrical Div, CFMEU, QPSU and TWU. The AWU is also joining the action.

Brisbane March and Rally
Thursday, 18 July 2002
Goodwill Bridge (southside) 11.30am
March to Parliament House for Rally at 12 noon

Around the State

- Thursday Island - Cairns - Townsville - Mackay - Rockhampton - Bundaberg - Toowoomba - Western Queensland - Gold Coast - Nambour - Ipswich

*Campaign information is available from the QCU website at www.qcu.asn.au

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