Queensland doctors say they still have major concerns with new individual contracts being imposed by the State Government.
Earlier this week, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg declared a breakthrough in the bitter dispute after the Government agreed to change some key clauses.
The amendments were discussed by more than 1,000 doctors at the Brisbane Convention Centre last night.
Tony Sara from the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) says they are still concerned about a lack of job security for doctors who sign up later than others.
The president of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF), Dr Tony Sara, says doctors who sign up after August will not be offered a fair deal.
“New employees on these contracts will not have the same terms and conditions as those doctors translating from the current awards to the new contracts,” he said.
“They perceive that will lead to a two-tier system of terms and conditions of employment and their view, which I agree with, is that would lead to divisiveness in the workplace.
He says that will be determined at will by management.
“Those who translate get an allowance of 25 per cent and those who sign up after August get an allowance of up to 25 per cent,” he said.
“If management over time decides to reduce the terms and conditions of employment and the pay, that will, over time, lead to a reduction in the quality of health care available.”
Meanwhile, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) says the State Government must ensure the bitter dispute with senior doctors is never repeated.
Doctors had threatened mass resignations over new individual contracts being imposed by the Government.
AMA president Dr Steve Hambleton says most of the doctors’ concerns have now been addressed, but up to 40 doctors have resigned as a result of the dispute.
“It’s a very unfortunate process we never want to see repeated,” he said.
“We do need to make sure we engage and stay engaged with Government and any changes that are brought forward need to be planned properly and delivered appropriately.
“But we do believe we’ve got a situation where they can work with managers they can work in partnership to deliver better outcomes.”
Source: ABC