Yesterday the Patient Transport Officers Award negotiation committee again met with the Ministry of Health. Members voted last week to lift bans after the Ministry made a promise in the Industrial Relations Commission to provide concrete responses to the PTO members’ log of claims.

After three meetings of back and forth with little commitment outside of a vague desire to keep basic matters such as safety and training ‘outside the Award,’ the responses may not come as a huge surprise to members, see the summary below.

• Enshrining two shift patterns in the award – Not supported.
• Fair rostering principles – Not supported.
• A real pay rise this year, including allowances – Neutral, deferred to NSW pay offer.
• Commitment to excellence in training and certification – Partially supported (outside Award).
• Required certifications to be paid for by employer – Not supported.
• Additional leave – Not supported.
• Provisions for fatigue management – Not supported.
• Vehicle cleaning and safety inspection time – Not supported.
• Meaningful consultation – Supported in principle.
• Honouring grandparented arrangements – Supported through 2016 Determination.

While it’s positive to see that the Ministry and HealthShare welcome a new clause for meaningful consultation from HSU, all other claims were not supported or shifted to outside of the Award. This isn’t surprising, but committee members made it clear there is very little faith or willingness from members to let these essential protections be administered by HealthShare.

After over 18 months of botched consultation and meetings, HealthShare was unable to provide rosters that balanced the needs of the community, patients, and PTOs. They’ve also repeatedly failed to follow their own policies, so PTO members want these provisions better protected by placing them in the Award.

All HSU PTO members are invited to attend a zoom meeting MIDDAY TOMORROW, Wednesday 5 June to discuss an appropriate response to the Ministry’s lack of support. A meeting link will be sent via text.