Mediation no cure-all for public health

Non-nursing public health workers in Queensland have rejected the State 
Government's proposals for mediation to end a dispute over an enterprise 
bargaining agreement. "Mediation may be useful, but is not a substitute for 
goodwill or negotiating in good faith", said Australian Services Union 
(ASU) Branch Secretary Julie Bignell.

"This means coming to the table with an open mind and a willingness to look 
at issues of job security, better training and improved working conditions. 
This is the only way we can resolve this dispute", she said.

Public health workers — nursing and non-nursing — are in dispute with the 
Government over its failure to offer a decent pay rise and better working 
conditions.

During the dispute the Government has stooped to the lowest depths in 
hurling abuse at staff and using federally funded trainees to break union 
bans.

"We have already seen that public health workers won't stand for the offer 
that has been on the table for some months", Ms Bignell said.

"If the Premier is serious about resolving this dispute, we need a fair 
offer that will deliver security for your members and better hospitals for 
Queensland."