Public sector wage claim - WA Industrial Commission reserves decision
Friday 27 Mar 2015
For HSUWA public sector members there is nothing left to do but to wait, as the WA Industrial Commission reserved its decision about the WA Health EBA pay rates.
During the four-day hearing, the Commission (Chief Commissioner Beech, Acting Senior Commissioner Scott, Commissioner Mayman) heard submissions and evidence from the employer represented by the State Solicitor's Office.
The employer presented evidence from Mr Neil Fergus, Assistant Director, Health Industrial Relations Service and Mr Richard Watson, Acting Executive Director, Treasury Economic Business Unit.
The HSUWA's counsel, Mark Ritter SC, presented our case with written and oral submissions, presented our witnesses and cross-examined the employer's witnesses.
Our instructing solicitors, Simon Millman and Daniel Stojanoski (Slater & Gordon), led the case preparation and were ably assisted by the HSUWA's public sector organising team and industrial team.
They helped identify members to give evidence, draft witness statements, review the employer's witness statements and supporting research, and draft our primary witness statement presented by our Secretary, Dan Hill.
We'd particularly like to thank Chris Panizza, Assistant Secretary, who managed the preparation of our case and the drafting of our primary witness statement, and Karen Heal, Industrial Officer, who liaised with Slater & Gordon in organising our member witnesses before and during the hearing.
We'd also like to give special thanks to our member witnesses:
- Ben Devine, Complex Needs Coordination Team, NMHS
- Cheryl Hamill, Acting Chief Librarian, SMHS Library and Information Service
- Mary Joyce, Head of Department Social Work, SCGH
- David Miotti, General Manager, Pathwest FSH Network
- Ian Cooper, Head of Department Physiotherapy, SCGH
- Jonathon Nugent, PBS Reform Pharmacist, SCGH
These members provided witness statements in support of the case and were cross- examined during the hearing.
Our claim is for increases of 4% from 1 July 2014 and 5% from 1 July 2015. The government's claim is for 2.75% from 1 July 2014 and 2.5% from 1 July 2015. The Commission will determine a wage increase as high as our claim, as low as the Government's claim, or something in between.
The Commission in Court Session has adjourned to consider its decision. It is difficult to predict when the decision will be delivered, but we are hoping it is sooner rather than later and well ahead of the State Budget on 14 May.
We will advise further once the decision is delivered.
