News

The Victorian Ambulance Union Incorporated (VAU) has attended a third bargaining meeting with Health Select Services (HSS) to bargain for your next Enterprise Agreement (EA). In this meeting, the HSS Representative Kate Connellan further consolidated claims received by parties and reiterated HSS’s position to not agree to the majority of claims.

After years of getting away with below-inflation pay increases during a cost-of-living crisis, HSS maintain their very disappointing wage offer of 2% per year. 2% will not even meet the latest annual inflation numbers, let alone make up for your fall in real wages. In HSS’s offer, this low percentage will apply to their below-Ambulance Industry Award (Award) allowances and will not be indexed to CPI.

The VAU provided member feedback that this is not a fair reflection of the work that you do, and we will continue to advocate for your claim of 4% per year. However, we need our members to get involved, and to nominate the VAU as their bargaining representatives.

How far have you fallen behind?

With no pay levels recognising years of service and increases of only 2.5% in the previous EA, HSS employees’ wages and allowances are well below the other NEPT companies.

With your allowances frozen at the time of the previous EA, including the shift reconciliation rates, HSS have even fallen below the Award. For example, the Award meal allowance is nearly $20, while HSS currently pay $16.65 and refuse to increase this.

The Award sets out the bare minimum conditions for an industry; a ‘bargain basement’ set of wages and conditions. It is not something employers and/or employees should aspire to in an EA. HSS remain at the bottom of the list for NEPT companies when comparing wages and allowances for ATAs and for PTOs once 3 years of service is completed.

Was there any movement on other claims?

Availability Allowance – HSS offered to increase the minimum availability allowance period from 6 hours to 8 hours, if they could forfeit the allowance even if the offered shift is declined in the last hour.

Minimum shift length – HSS is considering inserting into the EA the ‘after midday practice’ of 8 hours of minimum engagement for shifts but are adamant that they cannot increase the minimum elsewhere from 4 hours to 6 hours as per your claim.

What else do HSS members need to do to send a message to HSS that the 2% is unacceptable?

The VAU continue tol bargain on behalf of its members at HSS and advocate strongly for recognition of the valuable work you do for HSS and the Victorian community. BUT to achieve the best outcomes, every member at HSS must nominate the VAU as their bargaining representative. This sends a clear message to HSS that our members are a cohesive group who deserve at least equal employment conditions and wages for the same work you do as other NEPT colleagues. .

By nominating the VAU, you are also eligible to vote on any proposed industrial action, and take part in that action, if it comes to that. Currently, less than one third of the HSS membership have nominated the VAU as their bargaining representative. It takes only a minute, so please take the time to do this right now if you haven’t already.

You can copy and paste the below into an email to Kellie Taylor at HSS. All you need to do is fill in your name, employee number, date, and then send.

How do you do this?

To make sure that the “Victorian Ambulance Union” is formally recognised as your bargaining representative, and that you can take protected industrial action as a member of the VAU, you must complete the template notice AND email this to us (kerry.mclean@vau.org.au or bruce.fine@vau.org.au) with the subject heading ‘Bargaining Nomination – Health Select Enterprise Agreement’

IMPORTANT: This notice of appointment will need to be sent to Health Select for the notice to legally come into effect.

FAQ’s – Q: Can I copy and paste the text in the template into an email and send to HSS?

Yes – so long as you ensure that you insert your name and the date of the appointment in the text copied from below.

Q: What date should I record on the notice?

It must be the date you complete the notice. For example, if you complete the notice today, you must record today’s date. Do not backdate the notice.

Q: What happens if I do not nominate the VAU as my bargaining representative?

If you do not formally appoint the VAU as your bargaining representative, then you will not be able to take protected industrial action as a VAU member, when the VAU makes an application for a protected action ballot order to the Fair Work Commission.

Remember, as a VAU member, you can organise and engage in industrial action, so long as you appoint the VAU in writing as your bargaining representative and let HSS know. Nominating the VAU as your representative ensures that you have every opportunity to get the wages and conditions that you deserve.