Ms Kristal Lowe, Chief People and Culture Officer
Queensland Health and our industrial partners are currently negotiating several enterprise agreements. Queensland Health seeks to negotiate fair agreements that recognise the valued work of our employees while preserving our core focus on patient centred care.
Since September 2022, employees covered by the Queensland Health Building, Engineering & Maintenance Services Certified Agreement (no.7) 2019 have been participating in protected industrial action.
Queensland Health has received formal notification that unions intend to undertake further protected industrial action for employees covered by the following agreements:
- Queensland Public Health Sector Certified Agreement (No. 10) 2019
- Health Practitioners and Dental Officers (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement (No.3) 2019
- Medical Officer (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement (No.5) 2018 (MOCA5)
Employees who are members of Together Queensland (TQ) and the Australian Workers’ Union of Employees, Queensland (AWU), who are employed in the roles and locations specified in the Protected Industrial Action Notices, may choose to participate in this protected industrial action.
The protected industrial action is currently taking place at the following Metro North sites:
- Health Information Management workforce roles (TQ coverage), effective immediately at all facilities,
- EB10 Employees (TQ coverage), effective immediately at all facilities,
- Clinical Coder EB10 Employees (TQ coverage), effective immediately at all facilities,
- EB10 Employees in administrative roles in emergency, outpatient or ward work areas (TQ coverage), effective immediately at all facilities,
- Redcliffe Hospital (AWU coverage), effective 12.01am Monday 5 December 2022.
While this action may cause some inconvenience, it is important that we all appreciate and respect the right of a union member to participate in protected industrial action. Our Metro North values mean we all work together as a team and treat each other with respect.
While the action is wide ranging, it is Queensland Health’s position that where an employee takes protected industrial action, the employee will not be paid for the period that they fully withdraw their labour, which includes a work stoppage or wilful failure to attend work that is allowed by the employer. An employee may, without loss of pay, attend a work stoppage during their lunch break or access accrued or other banked time.
To ensure we’re prepared for this protected industrial action, contingency strategies are in place for each facility to reduce the impact on patient services.
If this action is impacting your work area, please contact your local People and Culture team.
Further information relating to protected industrial action can be located on the Queensland Health intranet.
We appreciate your assistance and cooperation during this period.
Kind regards,
Kristal