Cleaners and ward staff at Royal North Shore hospital have walked off the job after voting at a meeting in Sydney, reports a 2 July ninemsn.com.au article.
‘They’re threatening to impose more work bans unless the NSW government intervenes in an ongoing staffing crisis at the hospital. About 70 Health Services Union (HSU) members walked off the job at 1.30pm (AEST) after voting at a meeting in Sydney on Friday [29 June].’
The workers, who are striking until 4.30pm (AEST), say there has been no resolution since concerns over staffing shortages were raised over six months ago.
“We’ve been back to court, and we’ve been having a series of weekly meetings with various levels of management and the contract company,” HSU east organiser Brendan Roberts told AAP.
“They keep coming back to us with proposals but no contract details. They’ve resulted in nothing, and we’re hoping to engage [Health Minister] Jillian Skinner in this debate.”
‘Until the state government intervenes, staff say they will stop cleaning public and outside areas, conducting “non-urgent” courier tasks, and delivering mail and catering orders to non-clinical departments.
‘Roberts said the union was hoping the government would commit hospital management and the contract company to proper staffing levels. He said the hospital had a shortfall of about 30 to 40 cleaning and ward staff, and the problem would worsen with the hospital’s move to newer premises in about 10 weeks.’
“We’re concerned that if it’s not resolved prior to that, the situation will get worse,” Roberts said. “It’s a bigger floor space, more beds, and we feel that unless the staffing levels are adjusted properly now, the situation will be ongoing.”
According to the article a spokesman for the Health Minister Jillian Skinner said the minister was unable to comment at this time.
INCLEAN contacted ISS marketing manager Debbie Robbins for a statement, however she felt it was not appropriate to comment with negotiations still progressing.