Yesterday, HSU members gathered to discuss a way forward in the Harbison EA negotiation. Thank you to everyone who participated in the meeting and thanks for adapting so easily to the late change from an in-person to an online meeting.

Yesterday’s meeting proposed the following resolution, which is now being put to all HSU members for consideration. We ask you to review the proposal and then have your say here on whether you endorse this position on behalf of HSU members.

Resolution

HSU members will support an enterprise agreement with Harbison which includes:

1. An annual pay increase of 2.5% per year, for 3 years, back dated to 1 July 2020 (i.e., a 2.5% increase from 1 July 2020, another 2.5% increase from 1 July 2021, and another 2.5% increase from 1 July 2022).
2. A commitment that Harbison will provide safe and reasonable staffing levels, by implementing the recommended Minimum Staff Time Standards of the Aged Care Royal Commission by 1 July 2022.
3. A clear provision that leave requests will be responded to in a timely manner, of at least 6 weeks.
4. A clear provision that the uniform allowance (currently $7.52 per week) will be paid to all staff, in recognition of the need to purchase appropriate work specific clothing to perform their role. 

These are fair and reasonable proposals that will promote harmony and equity in the workplace. They are not excessive or out of step with the rest of the aged care industry.

These are the conditions that HSU members say are needed for us to support the agreement and promote a ‘yes’ vote.

Do you support this resolution?

We are asking all HSU members to consider the above resolution and have your say here on whether you endorse this position.

If a majority agree with the proposed resolution, it will be presented to Harbison management at our next negotiation meeting on Monday.

Next steps

We are keen for this negotiation to be resolved as swiftly as possible. Staff are well overdue for a pay increase and we want you to get the back pay you deserve, as quickly as possible. However, we don’t think that Harbison staff should just accept an agreement, unless you are satisfied that it is fair and reasonable.

It’s nearly been two years since your last pay increase. Most other aged care providers passed on wage increases in July 2020 and are doing so again in July 2021. We don’t want any more delays from Harbison to getting a fair and reasonable enterprise agreement in place.

We will update members following our next bargaining meeting on Monday. If your colleagues are not yet HSU members, encourage them to join online at www.hsu.asn.au/join to stay up to date.