According to a union some Queensland Health professionals are ready to strike over a government wage offer. The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMWU) and Queensland Public Sector Union (QPSU) (that includes radiographers, scientists and pharmacists) started this campaign across Queensland on Monday. They are protesting even on radio and print ads for a 2.5 per cent rise a year, over three years.
LHMWU secretary Gary Bullock said the offer was below CPI and included the reduction of allowances that would see many workers worse off. “Members are committed to standing up for what is fair and reasonable…We have some members who want to go on strike today…Obviously we want to explore all avenues...but if that's what they have to do, then they will,” he said. He also said that there would be a “mass exodus” of staff to better-paying states if the government continued to ignore their concerns. Mr Bullock said about 200 of the rural-based professionals was also facing the loss of allowances, which was as much as $60 a week. Another $10-a-day allowance for mentoring students was also scrapped, he said. He has asked Health Minister Paul Lucas step in and resolve the issue. The staff want a wage increase of 4.5 per cent, 4 and 4 over three years.
Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek, while supporting workers, did not support strike action. Queensland Health's Director-General Mick Reid said negotiations were underway. “The health professionals are coming off an agreement where they earned rises totaling 12.5 per cent over three years…As a state government agency, Queensland Health is obliged to remain within the whole-of-government 2.5 per cent pay increase if possible,” Mr. Reid said. He added, “…we have not taken a final position on the rural and remote allowances or the mentoring allowance…I know this may be a concern to the union but we are willing to discuss this issue further.”