Mass meeting about FSH uniforms - Tuesday 25 August
Wednesday 19 Aug 2015
Join us on Tuesday 25 August for a mass meeting about how Fiona Stanley Hospital management proposes to solve the uniform issues, and what actions may be required to resolve these issues.
In early July, the union wrote to FSH management about the hospital's mandatory uniform policy, and has had numerous meetings since to attempt to resolve the core issues.
The three main issues the union have raised relate to the quality, quantity and cleaning of uniforms.
The EBA states: "When the employer requires a uniform to be worn, such uniform will be supplied."
There have been numerous complaints about the style and fit of the uniforms, including health problems as a result of the fabric, and the quantity of uniforms being insufficient, particularly for full-time staff.
The EBA also states: "Protective clothing or uniforms supplied... will be laundered free of charge", yet the current hospital policy contradicts this, stating that the employee is responsible for laundering the uniforms.
Following extensive consultation with members, and reviewing the uniform entitlements provided to other groups employed by the Department of Health and working at FSH, to rectify the breaches of the Agreement, the union has made the following claims:
- The employer will provide free of charge to each full time employee (pro-rata for part-time employees:
- Trousers or shorts (or skirts or dresses): 6 items; OR
- Scrubs: 6 items
- Shirts (corporate or polo style): 6 items
- Jackets or cardigans or vests: 2 items
- Reasonable replacement guidelines, based on wear and tear.
- As the uniform is to be laundered free of charge, a laundry allowance of $7.82 per fortnight for items that can be laundered and full re-imbursement of dry cleaning expenses for any items that are dry-clean only. The allowance and re-imbursement is to be backpaid to the date the uniform was provided to the employee, and it was mandatory to be worn.
These matters were argued at a conciliation conference in the WA Industrial Relations Commission on 12 August, and FSH management agreed to formally respond to the union's claims and that a further report-back conference would be held in about two weeks' time. The union advised we would need to consult with members in regard to any proposal received.
Mass Meeting
When: Tuesday 25 August
Time: 12:30 pm
Where: G1 Lecture Theatre, Education Building, Fiona Stanley Hospital.
