STRIKES could extend to Murray District Hospital if the State Government does not agree to meet union pay conditions, Health Services Union of Western Australia (HSUWA) secretary Dan Hill says.
Last Monday Mr Hill said no industrial action was planned at Murray District Hospital but staff could be implicated in a new wave of strikes if negotiations failed.
“Murray District Hospital remains part of our public hospitals agreement,” Mr Hill said.
“At this stage we’re not envisaging any strikes or stoppages at Murray, but if matters aren’t resolved we’ll be reconsidering industrial action.”
The HSUWA has so far rejected the State Government’s offer of a 5.2 per cent pay rise over two years, holding out for a nine per cent increase for the same period.
Mr Hill said an increase of four per cent in the first year was fair, considering some politicians had recently been given a 3.8 per cent wage hike.
Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the industrial agreement covering HSUWA members was now before the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
Mr Mischin said both parties had “agreed to make no further public comment while the matter is before the arbitrator.”
“However, the Government hopes that the matter will be resolved as soon as possible, without further disruption to the community,” he said.
The HSUWA has about 20,000 members employed in public hospitals and medical centres across the state, working in fields such as radiography, pharmacy and social work.
Members have already walked off the job at Royal Perth Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital earlier this month.
Shadow Health Minister Roger Cook said it was crucial the Government resolved the dispute swiftly to prevent patient services from being impacted.
“I hope hospital workers from Murray District Hospital won’t have to strike,” Mr Cook said.
The Health Department said it would make no comment as the issue was before the Industrial Relations Commission.