In a few weeks time it will be three years since Community Health Professionals last had a pay rise. This is an appalling anniversary the VHIA and Community Health employers should be ashamed about.
The VHPA will be marking the anniversary of 6 November by continuing to fight for Health Professionals. We have devoted extra resources to the campaign and are working hard to achieve a good outcome from each Community Health employer.
By the end of this week the VHPA will have lodged around 25 logs of claims. Already there have been initial negotiation meetings with six different centres and a further four have been booked at the following CHCs:

Our new lanyards for Community Health Professionals are pictured above being worn by our cheerful Organising Support Officer, Lucas Evans.
- Sunbury
- MonashLink
- Nillumbik
- North Yarra
- Whitehorse
- Isis
- Bellarine
- Western Region
- Inner south
- Banyule
In these meetings the VHPA is seeking an equitable pay rise that provides parity with similar Health Professionals in Community Health with backpay. We are also seeking conditions that help attract and retain HPs in the sector, a different expiry date to the public sector, and improved rights for consultation and dispute resolution.
We continue to be concerned about the latest pay offer that Community Health management has made to the VHPA. The offer is much less than what has been offered (and accepted) by our Dietitian colleagues who are represented by the MSAV. It would mean VHPA members would end up getting thousands of dollars a year less than their similarly qualified colleagues.
“The pay disparity between the two groups of Community Health employees is one of the main reasons why the VHPA is continuing to campaign for a better deal for our members,” said Linda Jenkin, Lead Organiser.
>> Request a Community Health lanyard
Hi
I just want to know about Bendigo Community Health pay rise. Are they involved in these upcoming negotiation meetings and by when we can expect it to be sorted?
Hi Sangeeta
We had a meeting at your Centre last week and have updated the Log of Claims for Bendigo CHC. This is one of the Logs we anticipate being served next week. Once this has happened we’ll be locking in the date for the first bargaining meeting which will happen at your Centre. As soon as we know when this will be and at which of the Bendigo sites, I’Ll be back in touch with Members. Did you get a lanyard? I left some there during the visit but let me know if you don’t have one yet and I’Ll mail it out.
Please don’t hesitate to call or email me if you have any other queries.
Linda Jenkin, Lead Organiser – Phone: 1300 322 917
Thank you Sangeeta for flagging up this issue regarding Bendigo CHC.
I am also very concerned and hope VHPA helps in sorting it out soon. Cheers Linda for your efforts on this.