Opal Healthcare recently published information to workers that is misleading and misrepresents your rights at work.

In a flyer advertising the supposed benefits of Opal’s enterprise agreement “offer”, Opal incorrectly linked increases to Award pay rates and superannuation, to voting in favour of the enterprise agreement.

Opal listed several benefits it described as part of the “PROPOSED OFFER” and stated, “This means if you vote in favour of the EA and it is approved, you will receive a 5.25 per cent wage increase this year, plus a super increase, AND backpay, And a further 3 per cent wage increase, plus a further super increase next year”.

This is misleading and wrong!

• The 15 per cent increase for ‘direct care workers’ was won by HSU members in our Work Value Case and applies to all workers covered by the Award, regardless of your enterprise agreement. Opal have simply met their obligation to pay the minimum Award rate. All aged care providers are required to meet this.
• All employers must increase their minimum superannuation contribution to 11.5 per cent from 1 July 2024 to comply with federal law. This legislated increase will happen whether or not the EA is voted up.
• Any decision in the HSU’s Work Value Case to further lift Award pay rates is completely separate to bargaining at Opal. Opal will need to comply with any Award increases that lift your wages above the current rate.

Opal’s characterisation of these benefits being conditional on staff voting “in favour of the EA” is false, misleading, and is a misrepresentation of your rights.

The increases above are legal minimum requirements that Opal must comply with. These increases will apply, whether staff vote for the enterprise agreement or not.

The HSU has written to Opal demanding a retraction of the flyer and a clarification that these increases are not linked to voting in favour of the enterprise agreement.  

Click HERE to see the PDF of a flyer confirming the facts. Please share this with your colleagues so that they are not mislead by Opal’s incorrect information.

Encourage your workmates to join the HSU. Together you have strength in your workplace. New members can join online at www.hsu.asn.au/join or call 1300 478 679.