As we come out of our first month of the New Year, many workplaces are getting into Enterprise Bargaining. 

For most Union members this is known to be a standard process every three years or so, often with many delegates taking part.

United Voice members are always at the table, because Union members know what they want and how working together gets the best results.

And whilst this occurs at many different workplaces all through the year, the process can be confusing.

That's why we're going to simplify it for you.

Often known as your ‘Agreement’, a federal Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) is made in two key steps:

1. Negotiation
2. Voting

The year has changed, but old habits don't change so fast.

As we complete another circulation of the sun, ambulance officers are seeing first-hand the effects the ‘silly’ season can have.

As the end of the year draws closer, workers are finding it harder to maintain composure and keep spirits high due to the heightened busy period.

Staff morale and mental health are crucial all year round, but with the increasing workload that comes with the end of the year, many feel the pain of stress, overexertion and exhaustion.

United Voice, the Health Union, is pleased to announce the approval of the new Hospital Support Workers Industrial Agreement.

Hospital Support Workers, from multiple hospitals, spent months bargaining with the Department of Health and secured some great wins, including protecting jobs and preventing privatisation.

Phyllis De Gois, a proud United Voice member for almost forty years, and theatre technician at Royal Perth Hospital says the proposed changes to security at public hospitals is vital to keeping staff and patients out of harmful and violent situations.

On Sunday 1^st January Mark McGowan announced new measures which would bring a heightened level of safety to frontline security staff at major public hospitals.

United Voice members working in public hospitals have begun negotiations for their new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

Members elected a bargaining committee of their fellow workers to represent them at negotiations and to commit to being a strong voice and fighting for all United Voice members.

The Log of Claims voted on by members, asks for a liveable wage, with a $50 wage increase per week, job security and permanency for casuals.

United Voice member Arinic started as a casual employee seven years ago.

“I fought hard to become a permanent employee and now I am so grateful because I am the sole breadwinner for my family,’ she said.

“You never know what the future holds, so I think it’s important to know your rights and that you deserve a secure job.

The State Government have handed down a budget that will plunge WA into a massive debt of $30.9 billion and a $1.3 billion deficit, for 2015/16.

The Liberal Government has pursued an aggressive privatisation agenda, planning to sell multiple public assets including the TAB and leasing the Fremantle Port.

United Voice WA Secretary Carolyn Smith has labelled the budget, “A fire sale.”

“Colin Barnett has sent a clear message to the people of Western Australia, everything must go,” she said.

“He’s prepared to sell off assets that have taken generations to acquire and he is going to sell it all off in a fire sale. Schools and Hospitals have been sneakily targeted too."

Ms Smith said the government was planning staff reductions for next year, even though WA has two new hospitals opening. 

Come October, Shenton Park hospital will be closing forever.

For many staff the hospital has been their entire working life and the memories made there will stay with them forever.

To commemorate well over 100 years in the community, members at Shenton Park will share some of their best memories and reflect on the closing of the hospital on our blog.

First up is United Voice delegate and Enrolled Nurse Cathy Czerniak.

Hundreds of hospital support workers walked off the job yesterday after being kept in the dark about job security.

Non-clinical staff including Cleaners, Caterers and Patient Care Assistants (orderlies), have not been told what will happen to their jobs when the Health Department moves wards to Serco run, Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Staff from Royal Perth Hospital, Fremantle Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Kaleeya Hospital and Shenton Park Rehabilitation Campus rallied out the front of the RPH yesterday, to send a clear message to the Health Department: We deserve answers.

For the past 18 months, hospital workers have been given very little information about what will happen to their jobs once services begin to close down.

United Voice delegate and Royal Perth Support worker Brenda says she attended the action because it was going to affect herself and her co-workers.