As you all know, Catholic Healthcare (CHL) are again introducing major change at your workplace, less than a year since the last change. As part of the consultation process management held a staff meeting to discuss the change on the 30th of August 2022. Your HSU Organiser made arrangements to attend and provide support but disappointingly there was a push from management to exclude your representative. Despite this and due to the incredible work, you did on the ground, we were able to mitigate the impact of the change to a great extent. It was a great win.

Representation of members at staff meetings is as important as representation at individual consultation meetings. It is widely common for an organisation to invite an HSU official to their all-staff meeting where they talk about a major workplace change. Your Union official is then able to ask necessary questions on your behalf and request all relevant information about the change. Members need to think of and understand the direct/indirect impact of the change at all levels. This includes how you may be impacted individually and the overall impact to the delivery of care.

Your employer also has an obligation to discuss any change that will affect your health and safety at work and must include you in the decision-making process.

According to cl. A8 of your Enterprise Agreement, your employer "must recognise the representative” appointed by their employee(s). CHL then “must:

1. provide to the Employee, or Employees, affected and their nominated representatives, if any, information about the proposed change,
2. invite the Employee, or Employees, affected and their representatives, if any, to give their views about the impact of the proposed change including any impact in relation to their family or caring responsibilities”

Do not hesitate to contact your HSU Organiser, Hyojung Kim on 0458 012 322 or [E-Mail not displayed] if you need representation or have questions.

We are stronger when we stand together. Encourage your workmates to join the union. New members can join at www.hsu.asn.au/join or call 1300 478 679.