C2001/5831, Transcript of Proceedings [2002] AIRCTrans 315 (5 February 2002)

AUSCRIPT PTY LTD
ABN 76 082 664 220

Level 4, 179 Queen St MELBOURNE Vic 3000
(GPO Box 1114J MELBOURNE Vic 3001)
DX 305 Melbourne Tel:[phone] Fax:[phone]

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS


O/N VT02150

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL

RELATIONS COMMISSION

COMMISSIONER BLAIR

C2001/5831

SOUTHERN HEALTH

and

HEALTH SERVICES UNION OF AUSTRALIA

Notification pursuant to section 99 of the Act
of a dispute re the refusal of kitchen staff
to work in accordance with a new roster

MELBOURNE

9.36 AM, TUESDAY, 22 JANUARY 2002

Continued from 22.11.01

PN56

THE COMMISSIONER: Good morning. No change in appearances?

PN57

MR DOUGLAS: No, Commissioner.

PN58

THE COMMISSIONER: No. Who would like to move off please? Mr Hudson.

PN59

MR HUDSON: Yes. Thank you, sir. Sir, since the previous listing before you on this matter, the food services trial for the new roster did begin on 3 December, sir. There have been a number of problems along the way, we have had one of our shop stewards, a Vicky Metaxsis provide us with a chronology of events that have taken place throughout that time, sir. If the Commission would like I am happy to provide a copy.

PN60

THE COMMISSIONER: Thank you. Yes, Mr Hudson.

PN61

MR HUDSON: Yes. In speaking to this, sir, I would like to point out that despite a number of problems that have arisen the HSUA do acknowledge at the same time, sir, that management have acted on a number of those issues to deal with them as they have arisen. Where the main problems still seem to by lying, sir, are primarily around the morning breakfast shift, sir. The members are informing us that they are still having a number of issues pertaining around particular workloads and staffing levels.

PN62

What has happened through the Christmas period, obviously there has been an overall reduction in the area of some 100 patients which has obviously alleviated some of the stress on the department and the staffing issues. But as the new year has commenced, sir, obviously patient levels will commence to rise again where we believe we will run into obviously more problems relating around staffing levels and rostering issues, particularly to the morning staff. And it was, therefore, sir, that the HSUA feel it has probably reached a stage where we would seek to have an independent audit done to give us probably the best guide as to what is the best staffing levels required for that particular area.

PN63

The HSUA at this point, sir, would seek, if the Commission pleases, to take the matter into conference.

PN64

THE COMMISSIONER: Right. Yes, Mr Douglas.

PN65

MR DOUGLAS: Thank you, Commissioner. We have only just seen this list of alleged concerns in relation to the operation of the kitchen under the new roster and so we haven't really had an opportunity to examine it in any detail. But we make the point, Commissioner, that in the period of the operation of the trial it is significant that at no time have any of the patients not received their meals in the timeframe required for them to receive it, notwithstanding some changes that were made. And secondly, there has been no need for any overtime to be worked arising out of the operation of the roster.

PN66

And so what we would say is that the problems that seem to be identified there, or the allegations contained within it I should say, appear to be no more than teething problems arising out of the introduction of the roster. And I might remind the Commission that, of course, these changes came about as a result of significant reductions and throughput required from that kitchen as a result of the opening of the west ward block earlier in the year. And furthermore that west ward block opened in May, there was extensive consultation with the union in relation to the proposed introduction of the roster for a period up to six months from there and thus there has been significant consultation on the changes that have occurred and as a result of that particular initiative.

PN67

Commissioner, we do not have any concerns about moving this matter into a conference. We say though there is a requirement to show significantly more evidence of problems before any internal or any independent consultant was engaged to review the kitchen, that is not cheap and we do not believe it is something which will necessarily address any problems. Having said that, of course, if that was to occur there needs to also be an understanding that does not necessarily preclude the possibility of further staff reductions in the kitchen if that was found to be the case by that consultant. So we would say to the union that they need to be very, very careful about that particular suggestion. If the Commission pleases.

PN68

THE COMMISSIONER: Thank you. The Commission will go into conference.

NO FURTHER PROCEEDINGS RECORDED