On Monday 14 February, VAHPA Members at I-MED VIC staged a historic half-day, all-sites stoppage. Around 60 VAHPA Members gathered at the People’s Path in the Fitzroy Gardens, whilst others stopped work in their local areas.
No Allied Health Professional takes industrial action lightly, and stoppages are very rare.
However, faced with a pay offer which would see them go backwards and very limited improvements in conditions, VAHPA Members at I-MED Victoria collectively said, “enough is enough!”, stood up, and took action.
Several VAHPA Members and Delegates spoke at the gathering about why they’re taking action and the importance of standing together.
Prior to this stoppage, members held stoppages separately at a number of I-MED sites including Heidelberg, Werribee, John Fawkner, Frankston and Vic House.
I-MED responded to these actions by rostering staff who they thought would participate to sites not covered by those stoppages.
The all-site stoppage on 14 February rendered this strategy fairly useless. More importantly, Members remarked on how important it was that they were able to take action together as a collective.
VAHPA would like to congratulate all I-MED Members who took part in this action – we know it’s not easy, but standing up for what you’re worth is not only always a good idea, but it’s your right to do.
We would also like to thank other Allied Health Professionals who passed on their best wishes to our I-MED Members, including those who came to support the stoppage. Your solitary is appreciated more than you know.
VAHPA wrote to I-MED this week to seek their updated position that was due “early in the new year”, and we were advised on Thursday 17 February that I-MED are making plans to recommence bargaining.
VAHPA have notified all site stoppages for Thursday 24 and Friday 25 February of two and four hours respectively.
So it’s “watch this space” for I-MED, and for the growing band of VAHPA Members at I-MED it’s watch… AND act!