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, relevant unions and the Department of Health.
- Going to Ballot– is a process whereby employees vote to approve an Enterprise
- Fair Work Commission– the Enterprise Agreement is reviewed by the Commission to ensure that it meets the statutory requirements for approval.. This review can take anywhere from weeks to months. If approved, the Agreement comes 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 some 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: Currently in practice, and working through final details of implementation.
Allied Health Professionals
Status: The Union and VHIA are working through the final stages of drafting. Further information will come once available.
Nursing and Midwifery
Status: Working through classification translations with NaMES and payroll.
Mental Health
Status: In the implementation phase – working with payroll and mental health to implement in detail.
Medical Scientists, Pharmacists and Psychologists
Status: Drafting of the Agreement continues. It is expected that the Agreement will go to ballot when drafting has been finalised.
Doctors
Status: The EBAs have been finalised and our understanding is for this to go to ballot in September/October
Maintenance
Status: Bargaining – with an offer of settlement accepted in part.
General Dentists
Status: Still in bargaining phase
Dental Therapy
Status: Bargaining has concluded and with central government for approval
Biomedical Engineers
Status: Working through drafting stages and further information will come once available.
Approved by Michael Holman