LHMU - UNION ACTIVE

Two of the officers had been dressed in monkey suits and were distributing leaflets and bags of nuts to patients and staff in the hospital to illustrate how badly support staff and enrolled nurses are paid there.

The friendly and good-natured campaigning was nearing its end when one member of the management team  stormed up to the officials shouting “Get out of this hospital” and “Take your masks off you gutless cowards” before allegedly grabbing one official in a monkey suit – Marina Hardwick – by the head and allegedly hitting another – Jasmine Corvi - in the face.

The alleged assaults took place near the front entrance of the hospital and were witnessed by patients, families, hospital staff and other LHMU workers.

As the team tried to access the emergency department of the privately-owned, public hospital, LHMU lead organizer Fran Hebden was then allegedly assaulted by a security manager.

Assistant secretary of the LHMU Carolyn Smith said she was shocked and angered by the alleged incident but that strong arm tactics would not stop the union campaigning for staff at the hospital.

“The team had been making their way through the hospital causing no problems and even bringing a smile to the faces of patients and long-suffering staff,” she said.

“They were about to walk through the emergency department when the member of the management team became aggressive and abusive towards them and allegedly used physical force.

“There was no need for this attitude.”

The LHMU has been trying to negotiate a fair pay deal for its members at Peel Health Campus for the last 13 months but are being stonewalled in bargaining.

Peel are offering hard-working enrolled nurses and hospital support staff like cleaners, kitchen staff, orderlies, carers, maintenance staff and sterilization staff just a 1.8% pay rise.

The workers want a wage increase of 4.5% in the first year, and 4% in the second and third years.

 “In the first six months or so of the negotiating period, Peel had only been communicating with us by fax. So the union went to Fair Work Australia and had the hospital told to come back to the table to meet. But we haven’t seen them since October,” said Ms Smith.

“Since then, whenever they have been asked for a meeting they have not responded with any time or date.

“They are offering some of the lowest paid hospital workers in the state peanuts for a pay rise and it’s just not good enough.

“Enrolled nurses and support staff are fundamental to the smooth running of the hospital on a day-to-day basis and deserve respect.

“This is a hospital that has made more than $40 million in profit over the last five years.

“This profit has been re-invested offshore and not back into the hospital or into the pockets of the hard working staff who keep the service running smoothly.”