Union Bans Hit Austin
The Age
Friday July 2, 1999
Industrial action will affect patients at the Austin Repatriation Medical Centre this weekend after union talks with the Government yesterday failed to guarantee jobs when the hospital is privatised.
More than 40 beds have already been closed and an additional one in five beds have been earmarked for closure under the bans at Victoria's second largest hospital.
Most operating theatres were closed yesterday and only emergency procedures will be allowed over the weekend.
The assistant secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation, Ms Hannah Sellers, said blood pathology results, radiology procedures and cleaning and maintenance would be limited to emergency situations.
The bans will not affect babies and children needing emergency surgery, cancer patients requiring treatment and people with kidney failure who need dialysis.
The industrial action was imposed yesterday by about 10 health and maintenance unions covering nurses, medical scientists, cleaners, cooks, physiotherapists, administrative staff and psychologists.
Ms Sellers said most of the hospital's 4700 staff were taking action to oppose the job insecurity that has arisen as the hospital prepares to be privatised by 2002.
``We as a group oppose privatisation by the Kennett Government. We believe public entities ought to remain in public hands," she said.
``Basically a `for sale' sign has gone outside and they will sell it off to the highest bidder," she said.
The unions will continue negotiations with the Government in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on Monday.
A spokeswoman for the State Health Minister, Mr Rob Knowles, said the
the Government had negotiated in good faith and any industrial action was ``unfortunate".
© 1999 The Age