While members are eagerly awaiting the new agreement and the payrise and backpay that will come with it, the new EA still sits with the Fair Work Commission awaiting approval. Sadly, the Fair Work approval process, including the timing, is not something that VAHPA has any control over.
VAHPA has nonetheless been working with the Victorian Hospitals’ Industrial Association (VHIA) to craft a translation document that will allow hospitals to calculate the backpay and transition AHPs to their new rates of pay as accurately and simply as possible. Our understanding is that this document has now been sent to hospitals so the calculations should be underway.
VAHPA met with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) again this week so as to apply pressure to ensure that these benefits flow to members while the agreement is still being processed.