Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation warns thousands of doctors are ready to walk #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors
DOCTORS have launched an advertising blitz to push their case in the contract stoush with the State Government.
A key union embroiled in the bitter dispute says more than 1200 doctors have submitted resignation letters to their union.
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation warns, in a full-page newspaper advertisement, that fresh letters are expected to be collected as the stand-off continues.
The ad quotes Ipswich Hospital’s Dr Rob Thomas as saying: “After 13 years working in the Queensland public health system, I’m facing the fact that I may be forced to leave the job I love.”
Both ASMOF and the State Government say there are no sit-downs or formal negotiations planned for this week.
Doctors, meanwhile, are being urged to individually meet with supervisors to discuss the contracts.
If the resignation letters are to be used, ASMOF said it would contact every doctor that submitted one and double-check that they still want to leave.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has voiced reservations about ASMOF president Dr Tony Sara, telling State Parliament last week: “When you shake hands with the likes of Dr Sara, you count your fingers because you will lose them one by one.”
He said people who had signed contracts had suffered “bullying and intimidation’’.
Both sides of the debate have accused each other of derailing efforts to repair the soured relationship.
The State Government last week passed laws removing the power of the Director General to unilaterally alter individual contracts.
Source: Courier Mail