Monash Health has several Enterprise Agreements currently in various stages of bargaining – here’s a quick update on each one.
What is Enterprise Bargaining?
Enterprise bargaining is a statutory process of negotiation between employers, employees and their bargaining representatives with the specific goal of creating an enterprise agreement.
Enterprise Agreements can have a maximum operation of four years before they need to be renegotiated.
- Bargaining – negotiating the agreement with all parties, including VHIA and relevant unions.
- Going to Ballot – seeking employee approval of the Enterprise Agreement
- Fair Work Commission – the Enterprise Agreement is reviewed by the Commission to ensure that employees are better off overall under the Enterprise Agreement (than the relevant modern award). This review can take anywhere from weeks to months. If approved, the agreement goes into operation 7 days later.
- Implementation – changes to terms and conditions (including wages outcomes) are implemented across the organisation.
While we always hope for a swift resolution, each of these stages can take any length of time to complete – from weeks to months – to reach the best possible outcomes for all parties.
Monash Health has Enterprise Agreements for a variety of role types currently in various stages of bargaining – here’s a quick update on each one.
Our Enterprise Agreements
We have 13 enterprise agreements that cover most Monash Health employees, with seven currently in review. They are statutory instruments made under the Fair Work Act and provide the main terms and conditions of employment that apply to employees.
Health and Allied, Managers and Admin
Status: Going to Ballot in February 2022
Allied Health Professionals
Status: Bargaining
Nursing and Midwifery
Status: Implementation by administrative action. Going to ballot from 10 December to 16 December 2021.
To be fully implemented by administrative action on Monday 6 December.
Mental Health
Status: Bargaining – negotiations continue in relation to one outstanding matter – long service leave
Going to Ballot expected by end of January 2022.
Medical Scientists, Pharmacists and Psychologists
Status: Bargaining has stalled. A Protected Action Ballot is currently being conducted by the AEC which if approved by employees, will permit them to take some protected industrial action.
Doctors
Status: Bargaining continues.
Maintenance
Status: Bargaining – with an offer of settlement accepted in part.
Approved by Karen Lowe