Victorian nurses strike

Ekka · 23rd October 2007, 02:05 PM

As we come closer to an election I cannot think of anything more worrying for any political party than unions calling strikes.

For those with a few years of experience you'll remember the days of no fuel, no power etc as strikes gripped the country.

I've been watching this one.

Nurses want 6% pay rise per year for 3 years, AIRC gave them 3.25% for 5 years so they are still out on strike.

Hundreds of operations cancelled, beds empty, it's very bad.

Today at 10.15am the Federal Court will hear the case from the Hospitals Industry Association to take action against the nurses individually and the union. They can fine each nurse up to $6,600 and the union up to $35,000 for each striking nurse.

These fines are not really part of the new Work Choices deal, they're there for use in cases like this where there's defiance of court orders.

Nurses dispute to go to court today | Herald Sun

Hopes fade for end to nurses dispute - National - theage.com.au

Sean Freeman · 23rd October 2007, 02:12 PM

I'm openly biased on this one my mum was a nurse and my dad a doctor, over the years playing too much footy and climbing too many trees I've had way too much to do with nurses and the ER, you could not pay them enough money for what they do, and what they deal with day and night, some jobs just carry with them that kind of status for me and nurses are one of them.

I also think that while pay increase is a big part of their claim it also relates to numbers of nurses to patients on the wards too.

Ekka · 23rd October 2007, 03:21 PM

What interests me here is the course of events, they are (by striking) defying a legal process.

So they didn't get everything they wanted at the "table" but is this ancient bullying technique sustainable? Is the "system" going to tolerate it and will it open the door for a plethora of similar strikes to get what you want.

Lets see what happens.

Sean Freeman · 23rd October 2007, 10:00 PM

Yes you are right Eric by Australian law they are open to prosecution...that grab bag of nonsense BTW is the bastard child of Thatcherite non-governance in UK back in the 80's

........how can it be illegal to withdraw labour?

Load of manure IMO........if I'm in dispute with my employer on a point of principle (IMO obviously!) and the arbitration system fails me (IMO again) then I should have the right in a so called democracy to withdraw my labour...if not then whats the difference between my employment relationship and that of a bonded slave??

Ekka · 23rd October 2007, 10:14 PM

These are essential services and the AIRC is an independant body that hears the case for both sides and makes the decision.

It is this very type of action that forces dramatic changes like Work Choices to put individuals on contracts and deal with them one on one rather than as a mob.

On the other hand if the union called a strike and you said no and continued to work then you'd be black banned and called a SCAB!

It is and can be illegal to withdraw labour where the supply of such is expected and contracted.

In construction there's penalties for finishing late, many viable contracts require supply of labour and there's serious ramifications for the non supply of such. It could be seen as blackmail.

So, not that I'm a member of any union etc I'm watching this typical scenario. The police have already mentioned their support and maybe they'll do it next, then the firemen, teachers, power workers etc and presto ... the 70's return.

Govts were once measured upon their ability to resolve and curb strikes, this case is proving a real thorn in some-ones side.

Sean Freeman · 23rd October 2007, 10:26 PM

If you really believe that there is an evil entity (unions) driving tis then your arguement/position might hold water personally I've been envovled in enough industrial disputes in Uk and here to think that by the time it gets to the point of people being prepared to withdra labour and face individual prosecution theres a whole world of BS thats been put on them over more time than the attention span of the media would indicate, and connected to more than just an additional 4% pay increase...people don't become nurses for the money in my experience...breakdown of communication and respect between people is what generally drives things to this impass, and I have the very strong feeling that is exactly what is going on here.

Its odd how when unions achieve pay rises or improvements in conditions the non union employees are only too happy to get the benefits eh? Happens in teaching, nursing, police, just about every profession I can think of......

Ekka · 23rd October 2007, 10:51 PM

Latest out.

Nurses aren't scared of threats: union : thewest.com.au

23rd October 2007, 02:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Victorian nurses strike As we come closer to an election I cannot think of anything more worrying for any political party than unions calling strikes. For those with a few years of experience you'll remember the days of no fuel, no power etc as strikes gripped the country. I've been watching this one. Nurses want 6% pay rise per year for 3 years, AIRC gave them 3.25% for 5 years so they are still out on strike. Hundreds of operations cancelled, beds empty, it's very bad. Today at 10.15am the Federal Court will hear the case from the Hospitals Industry Association to take action against the nurses individually and the union. They can fine each nurse up to $6,600 and the union up to $35,000 for each striking nurse. These fines are not really part of the new Work Choices deal, they're there for use in cases like this where there's defiance of court orders. Nurses dispute to go to court today \| Herald Sun Hopes fade for end to nurses dispute - National - theage.com.au __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

23rd October 2007, 02:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	Re: Victorian nurses strike I'm openly biased on this one my mum was a nurse and my dad a doctor, over the years playing too much footy and climbing too many trees I've had way too much to do with nurses and the ER, you could not pay them enough money for what they do, and what they deal with day and night, some jobs just carry with them that kind of status for me and nurses are one of them. I also think that while pay increase is a big part of their claim it also relates to numbers of nurses to patients on the wards too. __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

23rd October 2007, 03:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Re: Victorian nurses strike What interests me here is the course of events, they are (by striking) defying a legal process. So they didn't get everything they wanted at the "table" but is this ancient bullying technique sustainable? Is the "system" going to tolerate it and will it open the door for a plethora of similar strikes to get what you want. Lets see what happens. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

23rd October 2007, 10:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	Re: Victorian nurses strike Yes you are right Eric by Australian law they are open to prosecution...that grab bag of nonsense BTW is the bastard child of Thatcherite non-governance in UK back in the 80's........how can it be illegal to withdraw labour? Load of manure IMO........if I'm in dispute with my employer on a point of principle (IMO obviously!) and the arbitration system fails me (IMO again) then I should have the right in a so called democracy to withdraw my labour...if not then whats the difference between my employment relationship and that of a bonded slave?? __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

23rd October 2007, 10:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Re: Victorian nurses strike These are essential services and the AIRC is an independant body that hears the case for both sides and makes the decision. It is this very type of action that forces dramatic changes like Work Choices to put individuals on contracts and deal with them one on one rather than as a mob. On the other hand if the union called a strike and you said no and continued to work then you'd be black banned and called a SCAB! It is and can be illegal to withdraw labour where the supply of such is expected and contracted. In construction there's penalties for finishing late, many viable contracts require supply of labour and there's serious ramifications for the non supply of such. It could be seen as blackmail. So, not that I'm a member of any union etc I'm watching this typical scenario. The police have already mentioned their support and maybe they'll do it next, then the firemen, teachers, power workers etc and presto ... the 70's return. Govts were once measured upon their ability to resolve and curb strikes, this case is proving a real thorn in some-ones side. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

23rd October 2007, 10:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	Re: Victorian nurses strike If you really believe that there is an evil entity (unions) driving tis then your arguement/position might hold water personally I've been envovled in enough industrial disputes in Uk and here to think that by the time it gets to the point of people being prepared to withdra labour and face individual prosecution theres a whole world of BS thats been put on them over more time than the attention span of the media would indicate, and connected to more than just an additional 4% pay increase...people don't become nurses for the money in my experience...breakdown of communication and respect between people is what generally drives things to this impass, and I have the very strong feeling that is exactly what is going on here. Its odd how when unions achieve pay rises or improvements in conditions the non union employees are only too happy to get the benefits eh? Happens in teaching, nursing, police, just about every profession I can think of...... __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

23rd October 2007, 10:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Re: Victorian nurses strike Latest out. Nurses aren't scared of threats: union : thewest.com.au __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

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