Besides the Community Health sector, the VHPA is engaged in collective bargaining on behalf of members with several other employers. Below is an update on the status of the Enterprise Agreements (EA) we are currently negotiating:
Healthscope
The VHPA is very close to finalising a new Enterprise Agreement with the management of HealthScope. Once the proposed new EA is finalised, it will then be put out to staff to vote on.
South East Palliative Care
Negotiations with management on this Agreement are drawing to a close, with only a couple of matters left to be finalised which principally relate to a better classification structure for Social Workers. The VHPA expects the Agreement will be finalised shortly.
Barwon CASA
Negotiations are also drawing to a close for the Barwon CASA Agreement, with an increase in paid parental leave and an improved pay structure for Grade 2 Health Professionals being the main items still being negotiated. We expect this Agreement will be finalised shortly.
Eastern Palliative Care (EPC)
Negotiations are continuing for the EPC Agreement. Though some progress has been made, the VHPA and EPC Management are still significantly apart on the classification and pay structure for Health Professionals, and the processes around Dispute Resolution, Change Management, Discipline and Reclassification. We are currently awaiting a response from Management to our last correspondence.
Healthcare Imaging Services (HIS)
After serving the VHPA’s log of claims on HIS, the first bargaining meeting between the Union and management was held on 14 August. At this meeting details of how bargaining will proceed took place, as well as initial discussions on our log of claims. We are currently waiting for HIS to provide their log of claims to us.
Yooralla
The VHPA has served our log of claims on Yooralla for an Enterprise Agreement that is specific to its Health Professional employees, and the first bargaining meeting is set for 18 September.
Other 2013 Agreements
Cabrini Health — negotiations with management in progress.
Community Health — draft logs of claims currently being lodged and major campaign is ongoing.
Epworth HealthCare — log of claims under development.
Healthe Care — forthcoming hearing at the Fair Work Commission set to consider VHPA request to reject the management’s Enterprise Agreement.
Ramsay Health Care — in-principle support given to new EA, waiting on drafting by management.
St John of God Health Care — EA completed.
St John of God Pathology — EA completed.
St Vincent’s Private — EA completed.
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