Qld Health workers angry over pay offer

Some Queensland Health professionals are ready to strike over a government wage
offer that will leave most worse off, a union says.
The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMWU) and Queensland
Public Sector Union (QPSU) - which represent specialists such as radiographers,
scientists and pharmacists - launched a public campaign across Queensland on Monday.
The radio and print ads follow their rejection of a 2.5 per cent rise a year, over
three years.
LHMWU secretary Gary Bullock said the offer was below CPI and included the scrapping
of allowances that would see many workers worse off.
He said an offer of four per cent a year would be fairer.
"Members are committed to standing up for what is fair and reasonable," he said.
"We have some members who want to go on strike today.
"Obviously we want to explore all avenues ... but if that's what they have to do,
then they will."
Mr Bullock said there would be a "mass exodus" of staff to better-paying states if
the government continued to ignore their concerns.
Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek said he supported the workers but did not
support strike action.
Queensland Health's Director-General Mick Reid has described the negotiations as
amicable and ongoing.
"The health professionals are coming off an agreement where they earned rises
totalling 12.5 per cent over three years," Mr Reid said.
"As a state government agency, Queensland Health is obliged to remain within the
whole-of-government 2.5 per cent pay increase if possible."
He said the department had responded to 200 items of claim from the union late last
week.
"But we have not taken a final position on the rural and remote allowances or the
mentoring allowance," he said.
"I know this may be a concern to the union but we are willing to discuss this issue
further."



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