Following a week of union consultation, HSU members at Opal have resolved to lock in our hard-won improvements and endorse the proposed Opal enterprise agreement.

A majority of respondents to our member survey voted in favour of accepting the proposed EA, with 55% saying they would support the current offer.

These survey results were then discussed and ratified at an HSU member meeting last night, with members agreeing to encourage a ‘yes’ vote to the proposal, in order to lock in these improved wages and conditions.

HSU members noted that while some of our claims were not fully met, the new wage offer (including back pay to 1 July 2023) and the significantly improved conditions represented a much better deal than the last proposal, and was acceptable to members.

This improved offer only came about because HSU members stood united and rejected Opal’s first proposed EA, and then campaigned together for improvements to wages and key conditions.

Due to your action, the proposed EA now includes:

• Improved pay offer for all staff;
• Back pay to 1 July 2023 (to be paid out of the ordinary pay cycle);
• New infectious disease leave provisions, to better support staff when unwell;
• Personal leave balances to be displayed on pay slips;
• Improved provisions for union delegates to represent union members;
• ‘Serious injury’ pooled sick leave is retained in the agreement.

At our meeting last night, HSU members gave special thanks to those who stepped up throughout this campaign as HSU bargaining representatives. Your hard work delivered real improvements for aged care workers and HSU members thank you for your dedication and leadership.

HSU members also resolved to keep up the pressure on Opal and make sure that our hard-won improvements are properly and fully implemented. If accepted and approved, we will make sure that the rights of all HSU members are strongly enforced, and continue to strengthen our union structures at Opal in preparation for our next enterprise bargaining campaign.

All employees proposed to be covered by the new enterprise agreement will now be asked to formally vote on this offer. Voting opens next week on Monday 19 August.

HSU members encourage their colleagues to vote ‘yes’ to this proposal, in order to deliver wage increases and back pay, and to lock in improved conditions.