Health workers have suffered through a decade of pay stagnation, out of date Awards and understaffing.

This crisis is acute in health promotion. Despite how important health promotion is and has been throughout COVID, funding remains minimal, staffing low and workloads high.

We all want to serve our community, but with overwork and burnout rampant, there’s no more left in the tank.

The NSW Government was elected on a platform of change. But all we’re seeing is more of the same.

This is a government that has trashed the promises it made to health workers. The wages cap is still in place so we cannot negotiate new Awards which are hopelessly out of date and workers are still forking out half of their personal tax savings through salary packaging.

Now, the government have leaked an offer of 3.5% pay increase with no Award reform.

HSU members have spoken to reject this offer and endorsed a Big Wednesday of action on 31 May.

Health Education Officer members will be joining 25,000 other members in acting to send this Government a message.

The HSU member-led Health Education Officer Committee have endorsed actions for HSU members in these professions to take:

1. A work ban on meetings during Big Wednesday. Members are advised that regular performance of duties will otherwise continue.
2. Health Education Officer staff will be placing an out of office template reply on with the below wording:
   
   I am currently taking part in HSU authorised Industrial Action because the Government refuses to meet the key demands of staff to offer a fair pay offer, negotiate new Awards and stop stealing members salary packaging.
   
   As part of the action, I will not be responding to emails today. I will be continuing clinical work and if you require assistance on a matter relating to urgent patient safety you can contact me here: [insert number].
   
   If you wish to participate in action to save public health, you can join the HSU at www.hsu.asn.au/join.

These actions are designed to ensure patient safety is not compromised at any stage.

Entitlement to take industrial action

It’s your right as a HSU member to participate in authorised industrial action, and it is illegal for any member to face victimisation for participating in trade union activities, including industrial action. Managers who target individual members may for Commission orders against them. If you have any concerns, please reach out for advice and support:

Phone: 1300 478 679
Email: [E-Mail not displayed]

Click this link for a flyer you can provide to your manager or colleague if they have any concerns about industrial action.

If the Ministry raises any concerns, they are entitled to take the HSU as an organisation to the Industrial Relations Commission to address those concerns. However, they cannot target individual workers participating in the action.

Remember, there is strength in numbers. While you may be one person in your profession, you are part of a collective of 25,000 individuals acting together to ensure we can continue serving our community effectively.

Non-members cannot take part in action.

Know someone who isn’t a member? It’s not too late to join to participate in this historic action. New members can join here: www.hsu.asn.au/join