Ramsay Health Care Australia Pty. Ltd.
Allied Health EA Negotiations 2013
Minutes of Meeting #3
21/8/2013 10.00 a.m.
1. Attendees
Lynda Hepworth – HR Manager , Queensland
Madonna Donnelly – HR Manager, Greenslopes
Matthew Fields – Allied Health Manager, John Flynn
Jamie Brindley, Workplace Representative – John Flynn
Cathy Crimmins, Workplace Representative – Pindara
Amanda Schafer, Work Place Representative – Greenslopes
Dan Goldman, Together Union (via phone)
2. Apologies
Nil
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting
Accepted as an accurate record
4. Review of any additions/changes to the Log of Claims – Together Union
Dan Goldman advised that the Union’s members had endorsed the Log submitted by the Workplace Representatives and there were no further issues to introduce at this time.
5. Professional Development Support – new clause L. Hepworth
Lynda handed out a draft clause to appear at 3.7.2 under Professional Development and Study Leave which reads:
(vi) Where applications for professional development support are not approved, the Manager will provide the reason/s for the decision to the employee in writing.
This wording was agreed to.
6. Inclusion of Biomedical Employees – new clause L. Hepworth
So as to ensure existing Biomedical employees on common law contracts do not feel pressured to convert from their current arrangements to the agreement, it is proposed to introduce an amended clause into the Biomedical* component which will also apply to the professions of Radiographers* and Cardiac Technicians* which says:
* For the classifications identified with an asterisk, this agreement will apply to new employees appointed on or after the effective date of this agreement. Employees already on these classifications appointed prior to the introduction of this agreement may request in writing to the employer for coverage under this agreement on the understanding that no employee will be worse off overall as a result of such coverage. Any such request to the employer will not be unreasonably denied.
Lynda confirmed consideration was still being given to the introduction of a further pay level for Biomedical Engineering Manager Level 4 who supervise 10 or more employees.
7. Draft Document – summary of proposed changes
- Title & date
- Two extra sites covered
- Inclusion of x-ray allowance
- Additional clause under Professional Development (reasons for any applications being declined)
- Additional clause under Parental Leave (reference to Government scheme)
- Additional clause under leave (reference to the Ramsay Flexible Leave Policy)
- Removal of PO2.1 pay rate (all new graduates will have a 3 year+ qualification)
- Additional clause for Biomedical employees, Radiographers and Cardiac Technicians having the EA cover their employment if they commence on or after the date of this EA coming into effect or by mutual agreement.
Lynda to update the document and issue Draft #2 before the next meeting.
8. Pay Rates L. Hepworth
It was confirmed that the Employer preferred a 4 year agreement as this provided greater certainty in relation to future costs which was of assistance when negotiating future health fund contracts. It was also confirmed that at the previous meeting, the Workplace Representatives advised that the quantum of the pay offer and the length of the agreement were linked.
Lynda confirmed that Ramsay’s PO2 and PO3 pay levels (bulk of employees) are currently 3% higher than QH and it is believed that the QH budget for their new agreement will be around 2% p.a.
In addition to the SGL increases of;
0. 25% for 7/14,
0 .5% for 7/15,
0 .5% for 7/16 and
0 .5% for 7/17
The Employer’s offer for a 3-year agreement is 3.0%, 3.0% and 2.5%
For a 4 year agreement, the employer’s offer is;
3% p.a. x 4 years.
Following a recess to discuss the offer in separate groups, the meeting reconvened. The Employee Representatives and the Union asked for the 4-year offer to be increased by a further 0.5% on the last increase. Lynda advised that the quantum offered was already higher than what was expected elsewhere in the market and would not be increased.
The Representatives asked for the opportunity to consult with employees and will provide their answer at the next meeting.
9. New Business
Dan suggested changes to the proposed clause in relation to the Government paid parental scheme with the following wording being agreed:
6.3.1 Australian Government Paid Parental Leave scheme
In addition to the Employer paid parental leave provisions contained in 6.3 above, the Federal Government provides for paid parental leave for eligible employees as well as paid partner leave. For full details visit:
www.humanservices.gov.au/customers/services/centrelink/paid-parental-leave-scheme
Dan queried the junior pay rates appearing under the Biomedical proposal advising that the Union’s position was that if a person was doing a job, the rate should be the same regardless of age. Dan to provide more information at the next meeting.
10. Next Meeting
Monday 2nd September, 2013 at 10.00 a.m.
3