Congratulations to the HACSU attendants and medical orderlies who won their fight for reclassification today.

As union members around the state prepared to launch into industrial action at midday, the Department were in a last-minute scramble to offer them the reclassification they deserve, with less than 60 minutes left on the clock before our action was due to kick off.

Medical orderlies and attendants do dangerous work every day to keep our hospitals safe for patients, fellow workers, and our community in responding to code blacks. But all of their work is absolutely essential in keeping our hospitals running day-to-day.

It’s been clear for a long time that they deserved proper recognition – and it’s been well beyond a doubt since the serious stabbing incident at the NWRH on Easter Sunday. We had met with the Premier and other Health managers to say enough is enough, but all the bigwigs involved seemed happy to drag their feet until it got to the point where union members knew we would need to take action to get results.

And we did.

Attendants and medical orderlies have won a pay rise of between $2000–$5000 for all attendants and medical orderlies at the NWRH, LGH and RHH. They’ve also won ongoing pay rises above the usual increases of more than $1000 a year for the next three years. (Attendants at the MCH are already classified at this higher level.) And they’ve won the recognition they deserve.

This is fantastic outcome: it proves what we can achieve when union members all work together.

Thanks to every HACSU member for your support on this campaign!