The West Australian Government is urging health services workers not to go ahead with planned strikes next week at two of Perth’s major hospitals over a pay dispute.
The work stoppages, at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital on Tuesday and Royal Perth Hospital on Thursday, seem inevitable with the Government so far refusing to budge on its offer of 5.25 per cent over two years, which is in line with its tough public sector wages policy.
The union wants 9 per cent over the same period.
Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the strike action would only inconvenience patients.
“I hope that they would reconsider and that there’s no significant interruption of services that are provided to members of the public,” he said.
“It’s unfortunate that the union has chosen to engage in industrial action, it’s action that can only inconvenience and harm patients.”
The Health Services Union, which represents workers such as physiotherapists, radiologists and clerical staff in hospitals, is seeking an urgent meeting with Health Minister Kim Hames to discuss the matter.
“This action is not taken lightly by our members, they have not taken industrial action of this nature for over 13 years,” HSU WA secretary Dan Hill said.
“It will affect x-rays, radiology, pathology, medical records, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social work.
“There will be major interruptions to health services.
“It’s in the hands of both the Health Minister Kim Hames and the Commerce Minister Michael Mischin to avoid this disruption by coming to the table and meeting with the union and putting a fair and reasonable offer on the table.”
Mr Hill said his members would only be providing sufficient staff to cover emergencies and ensure patient safety was not jeopardised.
The Opposition’s Ben Wyatt said while he does not endorse the strike action, he has some sympathy for health workers given the pay rises given to nurses and doctors.
“I certainly appreciate the frustration when Mr Barnett’s been willing to pay above his wages policy to one sector of the health workforce and is now insisting on implementing a lower wages policy for another,” Mr Wyatt said.
Hundreds of HSU members rallied outside the WA Parliament last month and voted in favour of rolling 12-hour stoppages if their pay demands were not met.
An initial deadline of July 7 was pushed back until next week to give the Government more time to amend its offer.