Job security is a serious concern for all workers. Unfortunately, public health in NSW is not immune to the issue of job insecurity. Your union has found that many employers across public health have been using casual employees and part time employees inappropriately.

With many employers looking to increase jobs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, your union was quick to highlight that existing employees, especially casual and part time workers, need to be utilised first. Having negotiated an agreement with the Ministry of Health, your union representatives sought expressions of interests from HSU members to be converted to permanent positions or to increase their part time hours. We were inundated with casual and part time employees seeking this benefit.

In discussions with these members, your union established that many of them should already have had increased or permanent hours. There were many examples of casual employees working regular hours for years on end and part timers working regularly above their contracted hours. In fact, many part timers were being worked above 32 hours per week, a clear breach of the Award.

We have been successful in getting many of these staff the permanent hours they deserve. This process is ongoing, and many employers are being dragged kicking and screaming. Members can be reassured that the HSU will not stop pursuing these important rights.

If you know a HSU member who is casual or part time and wants permanent hours, encourage them to email [E-Mail not displayed]