Issue # 1399      18 February 2009

Union guarantee of Mayne jobs

The Health Services Union (HSU) said it would ensure the sale of Mayne Hospitals in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT would not affect the jobs and entitlements of members working in them.

The HSU national secretary Craig Thomson said he had successfully sought a guarantee that all staff would remain employed, continue to receive the same wages and conditions and have their prior service recognised.

They will also remain eligible for the significant pay increases and better conditions being negotiated in the first national agreement with Mayne Health.

That agreement is due to be finalised this month and will then be put to meetings of members around the country for a vote.
‘’We have a guarantee in place for staff after the sale and we will be making sure that the new owners of these private hospitals stick by it,’’ Mr Thomson said.

‘’There are always concerns among staff when a hospital changes hands but we will be discussing this with them and reassuring them that their jobs are safe.’

Mr Thomson said he would also be seeking to meet with Healthscope as soon as possible to discuss a smooth change in ownership and remind them of their obligations to their workforce.

‘’We see no reason why there should not be a smooth transition and we will be encouraging Healthscope to provide, in concert with staff, the best possible service to the public.’’

The hospitals being sold are the Mosman Private Hospital in Sydney, the National Capital Private Hospital in the ACT, the Geelong Private Hospital and Sunbury Private Hospital in Victoria and the Hobart Private Hospital, Mersey Community Hospital and St Helen’s Private Hospital in Tasmania.

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