Members, 

As changes to working conditions and measures to support our community at this time continue to be implemented, your union is working hard to keep our members up to date. We’re here to support you at this incredibly trying time- please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns regarding anything going on in your workplace.

Please read on for information about supporting our public sector members, collecting information about your workplaces, and some information on announcements made by the government on childcare and JobKeeper payments.

Support our public sector health workers

Earlier this week we launched a petition calling on the State Government to provide genuine support to public sector health workers on the frontline of the state’s COVID-19 response. In making changes to working conditions the State Government has mandated that health workers who are putting themselves at risk for the sake of our community’s health and fall ill themselves must use up all of their sick leave before being considered for a new category of COVID-19 paid leave.

This is not good enough. Health workers deserve better.

We’re calling on all members to sign the petition (click here) to demand the State Government to immediately change its policy to enable health workers to use special paid leave before accessing sick leave during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Share your experiences with us

To make sure we’re providing members with the best support possible, and are able to advocate on your behalf, we’re collecting information about what’s happening in your workplace. Please fill out this 3-minute, confidential survey to let us know what your workplace is doing to support the health and safety of employees and patients/clients, and any issues that the union should be aware of.

Fill out the survey here to let us know what’s happening in your workplace.

JobKeeper payments: a good start

The union movement has been a leading voice in the debate about how best to support working families as COVID-19 continues to disrupt our daily and working lives. The Morrison Government’s announcement of a JobKeeper payment for workplaces hit hard by the pandemic shows the strength of our movement and what we can win when we stand strong- but it’s not enough.

The scheme leaves many out, including casual workers who have been in their jobs for less than 12 months, and migrant workers. These are some of our most vulnerable workers, in the most precarious conditions. We are calling on the Government to do better.

Check out the Australian Council of Trade Union’s fact sheet here, and further information for employees from the Australian Government here.

Childcare centres to stay open with Government support

The HSU welcomes the announcement that childcare centres will be subsidised to stay open- check out this helpful explainer of the subsidy will work by the Canberra Times. We know that at this time, many families are struggling to readjust to reduced incomes and we hope this will go some way to lightening the burden, as well as ensuring that workers in our already under-strain healthcare system can stay in the workforce without juggling bigger caring responsibilities.

Workers and psychological help

We know that COVID–19 imposes a wide range of risks to workers’ psychological health and safety, on top of their physical health and safety.

Job and economic security is placing huge and unprecedented pressures on workers and their families, and on our communities at large. Many workers are experiencing reduced hours, stand-downs or job losses, if not in their own work then for those closest to them – these impacts all have the potential to psychologically injure workers.

Please read this fact sheet for important information on your employer’s obligations and steps you can take to ensure you are psychologically safe at work during these times. The fact sheet includes information on workers compensations. We are informing employers that we will be advising members around workers compensation if a worker has been exposed to a mental health hazard in their workplace and subsequently becomes unwell.

As always, please reach out if you need support at this time, and make sure to keep up to date by following our Facebook page.

Join the HSU by clicking here or by contacting us on (08) 8279 2255 /  info@hsusant.org.au

In Solidarity,

Zerebar Karimi
Acting Secretary 

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU

During these unprecedented times, the Health Services Union is here to protect the rights of health workers who may be experiencing changes in their employment. We’re here for you so please contact us via email or phone.

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