Today, management wrote to the HSU to let us know that the anticipated funding for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (COBLH) will no longer be forthcoming and that, as a result, they are proposing yet another variation to the Enterprise Agreement. COBLH have advised they are not able to pay the 2.5% increase owing to employees on 1 July 2021, and instead are suggesting that the Enterprise Agreement be amended to reflect a pay increase that will see workers paid 1.04% – a wage increase in line with the NSW State Government wage offer to public health employees.

COBLH have proposed that the access period to vary the Enterprise Agreement should commence on Monday 7 June 2021, with the vote on the proposed changes to open on 15 June 2021 and run for a total of three days. Once again, it has been insinuated that redundancies will occur should employees vote against varying the Enterprise Agreement.

It is disappointing, to say the least, that workers are again being asked to shoulder the burden of COBLH’s inability to pay the wage increase that you are owed.

The HSU’s position is simple. Much like COBLH, workers are also faced with financial difficulties. While the cost of living continues to rise, their pay is not keeping pace. The difference is that workers are not in a position to unilaterally seek to vary an Enterprise Agreement without the employer’s consent. 

When the HSU negotiates an Enterprise Agreement, we do so with the intention of holding up our end of the bargain. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for COBLH.

The HSU will be on site frequently over the coming few weeks to discuss the proposed variation to the Enterprise Agreement and what this means for members. Our first visit will be on Monday 31 May 2021, so make sure that you come and talk to the HSU about the proposed variation. You can also get in touch by sending an email to [E-Mail not displayed] or by calling 1300 478 679.