Hospital workers strike over fight

Hospital support workers from Bunbury Hospital have joined in a Statewide stop work meeting and could take further action in response to the State Government pulling out of enterprise bargaining negotiations.

The Department of Health has withdrawn from negotiations on the Hospital Support Workers Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, which expired on July 21, a decision which could cost the workers up to $150 per week.

United Voice South West regional organiser Lee Edmundson said the workers had reverted back to the Hospital Support Workers award, losing 15 years of conditions and wages they had fought hard to receive.

‘‘As a union we are prepared to carry on negotiating, but they gave us notice in writing they are withdrawing,’’ Mr Edmundson said.

‘‘If they don’t come back to the table and negotiate in good faith, there will definitely be action.’’

By reverting to the old award, hospital support workers could lose up to $150 per week through the loss of penalty rates and classification structures.

Bunbury Hospital emergency department patient care assistant Jodi Briggs said the situation was disappointing.

‘‘We get spat on the same as everyone else, but we get paid less,’’ Ms Briggs said.

The Department of Health did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.