This afternoon, I wrote to the NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park, requesting commencement of Award reform negotiations immediately.

I informed the Minister that we cannot expect to fix the crisis facing NSW Health unless we address the crisis in our health workforce. We can’t begin to do this until we overhaul outdated Awards that don't properly value the work Health Professionals do.

Over the last 12 months, member-led Industrial Committees for each profession have worked intensely to develop the key claims for new Professional Awards. Now we prepare for the next phase. Briefings will be held for Health Professionals to consult on the structure and process for negotiations of new Professional Awards.

The following briefings will be available for members in the coming 2 weeks:

• Friday 4 August at 12pm – register here
• Friday 11 August at 12pm – register here

The upcoming consultation meetings will be a chance to discuss directly with your fellow HSU members the vision for new, fit-for-purpose Professional Awards.

Reforming our awards is a real opportunity to improve career pathways, enhance remuneration and structures to reflect the proper value of work, and address the attraction and retention crisis for Professionals.

We have campaigned together incredibly hard for this opportunity to bring NSW Health Awards into the 21st century, we will finish the job as a united membership.

Do you know someone who isn’t an HSU member? Encourage them to join our Union today and have a say at work. We are always stronger when we stand together.

New members can join at www.hsu.asn.au/join or call 1300 478 679.