Industrial Action at Tasmanian Nursing Home

Industrial action is underway at the Corumbene Nursing Home in Tasmania over proposed cuts in staffing hours.

Management had proposed to cut a total of 26 hours each day from the rosters across all areas of staff at the New Norfolk home, a situation not unfamiliar to many others working in nursing homes across Tasmania.

Health and Community Services Union members said "NO WAY" could they allow this to happen because of the impact it would have on the residents.

Members believed that it was grossly unfair that residents and members should have to bear the brunt of financial problems that were not of their making.

When management backtracked on an agreement to withdraw the rosters members voted to implement a series of work bans and rolling stoppages at meal times.

Ample notice was given to allow alternative arrangements to be made to care for the residents. This has resulted in the CEO, DON and finance manager serving meals and working on their days off.

Residents and their families have fully supported members' actions and have joined in the fun. The low care residents have refused to go to the dining room during the stoppages and meals have to be delivered to them in their rooms.

Congratulations to the Corumbene HACSU Worksite Committee and all of our members who have shown great strength and spirit during this difficult time.

HACSU is a branch of the Health Services Union. The HSU covers health and aged care workers across Australia.
It is the union for health workers, whatever area they are working in.

If you would like to help the Corumbene workers and join in the action please contact Leanne McDougall on 6231 2253 or leanne@hacsutas.net.au

Comment on this article

printer-friendly version

© 2003 Health Services Union (HSU)
This page: http://www.hsua.org.au/news/1061765576_27487.html
Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 17:18:59 EST

Proudly designed and programmed by Social Change Online