NSW Labor backflips on paramedic and junior doctor HSU freedom deal
Date:
Wed, 20/06/2012
Spokesperson:
Australian Medical Association (NSW) Limited (AMA)
The ALP has reneged on a commitment that would have seen paramedics and junior doctors released from the Health Services Union.
A bill that would give public sector workers a choice of union has been held up in the NSW upper house for nearly four months.
“On Monday night, Labor Leader, John Robertson, and Shadow Health Minister, Dr Andrew McDonald, met with AMA (NSW) and agreed to a compromise aimed at breaking the deadlock and allowing the legislation to pass,” AMA (NSW) President, A/Prof Brian Owler, said.
“On Tuesday, Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, said she found the amendment acceptable and the Government would be happy to cooperate and pass the legislation, with the inclusion of the ALP amendment.
“Sadly, we were then advised that the negotiated amendment was no longer acceptable to the ALP.
“This is despite the proposed amendment bringing the legislation directly in line with the provisions of the federal Fair Work Act.
“This sensible compromise would have been a credit to the ALP and an effective solution to this very serious issue.
“We can only conclude that there are forces at work in the Labor Party more powerful than the Opposition Leader and Shadow Health Minister as it has changed its position overnight,” A/Prof Owler said.
“Ironically, the ALP position on this issue is effectively preventing thousands of employees from joining a union,” A/Prof Owler said.
“The current law dictates that junior doctors, paramedics and other public hospital employees who choose to join a union must join the HSU.
“Ineffective support from the HSU has left junior doctors with working conditions decades behind those of their colleagues in other states.
“This bill would have given them the choice to join another union better-suited to their needs – one that they would want to join,” A/Prof Owler said.
“The bill needs to pass urgently, Parliament’s winter recess is now upon us and it does not sit again until August.
“This will leave paramedics, junior doctors and a host of other public hospital workers stuck with the HSU – an ineffective industrial advocate and an organisation embroiled in a scandal that grows on a daily basis,” A/Prof Owler said.
“We can only conclude that despite the FWA and Temby Report findings, the HSU continues to wield considerable influence within the NSW ALP,” A/Prof Owler said.
Media contacts:
Lachlan Jones (02) 9902 8113 / 0419 402 955
