Released 13 September 2024
Union members are fed up with the company’s disrespect to its own workforce. After months and months of negotiations, despite existing low pay and rising cost of living pressures for staff, the company has failed to put forward an adequate pay offer to their employees. Union members then determined, by ballot, to take protected industrial action to advance their ability to win a fair deal. The company has repeatedly tried to stop the industrial action taking place however they were unsuccessful.
The existing collective agreement setting the pay and conditions of staff across ACL operations in WA, expired at the end of May. An initial poor offer by the company was overwhelmingly rejected by employees. Employees work in collection centres and laboratories across Perth and regional WA, playing an important role in diagnostic health care.
Both the company and union members have participated in facilitated bargaining with the assistance of the Fair Work Commission, however the talks broke down when ACL failed to present an expected new pay offer.
Many of these workers are highly skilled but low paid – with wages hovering around minimum Award rates. Workers are just asking for a pay increase that allows them to keep their head above water with ever increasing cost-of-living pressures.
During the work stoppage, HSUWA is confident that patients with critical or urgent needs will be looked after, however the public should expect delays for non-critical care needs. The responsibility for this outcome lies with the company, publicly listed on the Australian share market.
Union members will vote on their next steps at the four-hour stoppage on 12 September. They will consider taking further work bans and stoppages, if needed.
Comments attributed to Naomi McCrae, HSUWA Secretary:
“Our members are not interested in endless delay by the company to offer a fair pay deal. This is putting them under serious financial pressure – they are simply fighting for a pay increase that will keep their heads above water.”
“ACL continues to put all its efforts into stopping a fair outcome for their own workforce. This workforce performs the important skilled work in health diagnostics that delivers huge profits for their shareholders.”
HSUWA members are standing up to a morally bankrupt company and demanding that they treat their people better.”
