Thousands of HSU members from across the state took part in a survey about the changes you wanted to see in your core conditions of employment – conditions that should be universal to all health workers, no matter your classification. 

The message is clear: we need more staff in NSW Health. Understaffing is creating huge workloads, putting enormous stress on health workers, and undermining the quality of healthcare provided in NSW.  

HSU members have commenced meeting with the Ministry of Health about changes needed in health awards.  

You are now being asked to vote on your claims for Core Conditions award reform. These are the proposed claims which have been endorsed by your Award Reform Bargaining committee of 15 members and appear below. 

The Core Conditions Award will underpin the classification awards which are specific to particular groups of workers. These will include containing classification descriptors, rates of pay, and specific conditions. There is a diagram at the end of this email illustrating the Award structure.  

It’s time for you to decide if you want to endorse these claims and put them to the Ministry of Health. Once you have read through these claims, please complete this survey. 

Proposed HSU members log of claims for Award reform 

HSU members demand safety at work through:  

1. A requirement for NSW Health to ensure workplaces are sufficiently staffed and resourced. An understaffed health system is an unsafe health system.
2. Enforceable rights to uninterrupted meal breaks, and a ten-hour break between shifts and recalls to duty. 
3. Ten days additional personal leave in recognition of the risks associated with working in Health. 
4. An additional week of annual leave for all employees to recognise the stress associated with working in NSW Health.   
   
   HSU members demand respect at work through: 
5. A requirement for NSW Health to provide 4 weeks’ notice of rosters because life/work balance is non-negotiable. Subsequent changes to rosters will not be made without mutual agreement with the employee.
   
   HSU members demand recognition. Staff will not continue to do work they are not paid for. 
6. Higher duties are paid after two hours. 
7. 100% salary packaging. 
   
   HSU members stand in solidarity. All employees at NSW Health are critical to providing world class healthcare. 
8. Everyone has access to the same core conditions. 
9. No one is worse off as a result of Award reform. 
10. Improved rights for Union Delegates to advocate for and support their colleagues, including paid time to undertake union activities. 
11. The right to attend union meetings in paid time. (2 hrs/month)
12. Improved rights for new workers to meet with Union Delegates face to face during their orientation.
13. Improved consultation about workforce changes.