An update on the cleaning dispute published by 702 ABC Sydney on 4 May reports that ‘members of the Health Services Union at Sydney’s Royal North Shore (RNS) Hospital are due to stop work this afternoon in the 12-week long dispute over cleaning services.’
The meeting will follow a compulsory conference in the Industrial Relations Commission between the union and the contractor ISS Health Services.
‘The acting deputy General Secretary of the HSU East branch, Gerard Hayes, has foreshadowed industrial action. “We are now at the point of having to take industrial action because unfortunately it would appear the commission aren’t able to get the management to be able to do what needs to be done to resolve the matter,” he said.’
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has voiced its concerns over hygiene standards at the hospital, coinciding with a chorus of complaints about unsanitary conditions and practices from nurses, cleaners and patients – as published in the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘AMA Council member, professor Brad Frankum, says he was alarmed by an account from a caller to 702 ABC Sydney who has done contract cleaning at Royal North Shore.
“I think that hospital infection control practices need to involve personal cleanliness but it also involves the environmental cleanliness,” he said. “So how can we possibly hope to prevent the transmission of infection if the floors aren’t clean.”
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at info@3.106.117.80.
Sign up to INCLEAN’s newsletter.
