As members would be aware St Andrews started consultation with staff and unions in a meeting held at 14.00 on the 29th September. As discussed at the meeting the driver for the change in operation appears to be compliance with new minimum hours of care requirement as part of the transfer from the current funding instrument ACFI to Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC). Overall the roster review appears to be positive however like any restructure some members are likely to adversely affected.  
 
Your enterprise agreement requires your employer to demonstrate what they are doing to mitigate any adverse effects. Members are encouraged to raise any issues you have with the proposed changes with management first. Should you still have issues you are encouraged to contact the HSU for support.   
 
Where to from here? 
One on one meetings are happening now and into early next week. Members are advised that they are entitled to support from their union in these meetings. If you cannot get a support person you are encouraged to raise this with St Andrew’s human resources and request your meeting be postponed. At the meeting St Andrew’s advised that they will be offering everybody a new contract. Members are advised to get contact HSU if they have any concerns. In the interim we will request a blank copy of the new contracts.  
 
At this stage it appears implementation will be Monday 14th November 2022 with a monthly review for the first three months. When questioned about any loss of hours in any stream management committed to no overall loss of hours. Management mentioned there will be a thirteen percent increase in funding to meet minimum staffing levels under the new funding model. 

At the meeting management also confirmed they currently have no plans to remove any roles from the structure. At this point the main changes appear to be your contracted hours and start and finish times. Members are strongly advised to get advice before signing any new contract. Your HSU organiser will be onsite from 09.00 – 15.00 on Wednesday 5th October. If you have any questions in the meantime feel free to ring your local organiser Kirk Rostock on 0488 086 907.  
 
If you are not already a member or know someone that isn’t membership is strongly advised. Only members will get advice from trained industrial officers. In an aged care workplace the only thing that is constant is change. Non members can join online here https://www.hsu.asn.au/join/start.  
 
Alternatively ring our Member Services Division on 1300 478 679 to discuss membership.