Just over a year ago, HSU members voted to have a two hour stop work meeting on 14 February 2022 to find solutions to the staffing and resource problems that faced them after moving into the new Maitland Hospital.

At that stop work meeting, members developed a log of claims highlighting the critical situation of workloads and inadequate staffing levels. These issues were provided to the Hospital executive, outlining the steps HSU members were willing to take to rectify the situation. Executives from the Hospital then contacted the HSU, and Union-Specific Consultative Committee (USCC) meetings were set up to address the critical issues that HSU members identified. During this process HSU members were extremely active with attending meetings and providing critical information and feedback to the Executive.

On Wednesday 8 March 2023, just over a year since the stop work meeting, the HSU and Maitland Hospital Executives attended the last USCC meeting having addressed the log of claims. By working collectively with the Executive at Maitland Hospital and with HSU members some of the results that came from these meetings were:

• Staff increases for waste and linen.
• Restructure of wardsperson services which resulted in an increase to the staffing profile.
• Increasing the administration staff in the Emergency department.
• Saving two gardener positions which were proposed to be made redundant.
• Improvements to the Code Black policy.

HSU members should be proud of the achievements you have won so far. There is still work to be done and with the strength and participation of members we can keep achieving the outcomes needed.

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.