Enterprise bargaining update - Queensland Nurses Union
Enterprise bargaining update - Queensland Nurses Union
Enterprise bargaining update - Queensland Nurses Union
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Salvation Army <strong>Queensland</strong> 16 April 2012<br />
<strong>Enterprise</strong> <strong>bargaining</strong><br />
<strong>update</strong><br />
Negotiations continue for a new enterprise agreement for The Salvation Army aged and home care<br />
services employees in <strong>Queensland</strong>.<br />
Retention of existing conditions of employment is at the core of the QNU approach to negotiations.<br />
The QNU has been firm in arguing for the retention of the current annual leave entitlement of<br />
five weeks for all nursing staff, with an additional week of leave for shift workers. The QNU is still<br />
pushing for the retention of the existing probation period of three months. The Salvation Army<br />
propose to increase the probation period to six months.<br />
The QNU is also committed to ensuring improvements to the <strong>Nurses</strong> Award 2010 minimum<br />
conditions are reflected in the new agreement, particularly the gradual increase in casual loading<br />
from the existing 23 per cent to 25 per cent.<br />
Work still to be done<br />
The QNU is still working hard to ensure the next enterprise agreement at The Salvation Army<br />
provides improvements for members. Improvements being sought include:<br />
»»<br />
Incorporation of existing study leave policy into enterprise agreement so that it can be enforced<br />
as an industrial entitlement.<br />
»»<br />
Sick leave provision in agreement to reflect the policy requirement for provision of doctor’s<br />
certificate or statutory declaration only after two days of leave (agreement currently allows for<br />
employer to request certificate after each single day of leave).<br />
»»<br />
Comprehensive classification descriptions for nursing staff and provision dealing with<br />
progression between pay points (agreement currently silent on progression and have no detailed<br />
classification descriptors).<br />
»»<br />
Introduction of EN Advanced Practice position.<br />
»»<br />
Payment for all compulsory training.<br />
Wages<br />
The Salvation Army have offered a total increase of 8.8 per cent over three years. The QNU have stated<br />
in negotiations that this wage offer is unsatisfactory and fails to keep up with increases in award rates.<br />
Employees at AIN Level 1 and 2.1 are now being paid the minimum rates in the <strong>Nurses</strong> Award 2010<br />
because the rates in the current agreement have fallen below the award rates. An increase of only 3 per<br />
cent this year could see agreement rates once again falls below the award minimum if the award rate is<br />
increased in July 2012. (The Annual Wage Review of award rates is expected to commence shortly.)<br />
Comparison of wage increases<br />
4.5%<br />
4.0%<br />
3.5%<br />
3.0%<br />
Salvation Army<br />
2011 offer<br />
3%<br />
July 2011<br />
Award increase<br />
3.4%<br />
Baptist 2011<br />
increase<br />
3.5%<br />
Labour Price Index<br />
(December 2011)<br />
3.7%<br />
RSL Care 2011<br />
increase<br />
4%<br />
2.5%<br />
2.0%<br />
1.5%<br />
1.0%<br />
0.5%<br />
www.qnu.org.au<br />
0.0%<br />
Authorised by B. Mohle, Secretary, <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Nurses</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong>, April 2012.
QNU underpayment investigation completed<br />
As previously notified to members, in the course of negotiating your new enterprise agreement,<br />
the <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Nurses</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong> (QNU) identified the potential underpayment of wages to QNU<br />
members going back over eight months. As a result of an investigation by the QNU it is confirmed<br />
that the following underpayments have occurred:<br />
What employees<br />
have been receiving<br />
(agreement hourly<br />
rate)<br />
What employees<br />
should have been<br />
receiving since 1<br />
July 2011<br />
(award hourly rate)<br />
Underpayment<br />
(per hour worked)<br />
Assistant in Nursing – Entry<br />
(no staff affected)<br />
$16.4519 $16.8923 $0.4404<br />
Assistant in Nursing – Level 1 $17.4574 $17.4947 $0.0373<br />
Assistant in Nursing – Level 2.1 $17.9596 $18.0560 $0.0964<br />
This underpayment occurred because the hourly rate of pay found in the current Salvation Army<br />
agreement (The Salvation Army Territorial Aged and Community Care Services <strong>Enterprise</strong> Agreement<br />
2009) fell below the applicable rate in the <strong>Nurses</strong> Award 2010. All employers in Australia are legally<br />
required to pay an employee the award rate or higher.<br />
The Salvation Army has identified that four staff have been affected by this underpayment and will<br />
be taking immediate steps to correct the rate of pay and calculate back pay.<br />
QNU members can check their pay and conditions at any time by contacting QNU Connect.<br />
QNU seeking discussions regarding medication management<br />
The QNU has raised concerns with the Salvation Army regarding compliance with nursing<br />
professional practice standards for medication management at Salvation Army aged care facilities.<br />
A QNU official is currently seeking a meeting with Salvation Army representatives to discuss this<br />
important issue.<br />
If you have any questions and concerns regarding medication management, please contact your<br />
local organiser or QNU Connect.<br />
wills and estate matters<br />
family law criminal law<br />
property law immigration law<br />
personal injury law<br />
Phone 3099 3210 or<br />
1800 177 273<br />
(toll free for outside of Brisbane)<br />
www.qnu.org.au/legalplus<br />
Authorised by B. Mohle, Secretary, <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Nurses</strong>’ <strong>Union</strong>, April 2012.<br />
www.qnu.org.au
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