Orthotics and prosthetics workers were recently forced to work 1 in every 3 weekends. Then, due to some upcoming leave the Department threatened to force them to work even more, rostering them 1 in every 2 weekends just to keep the service operational.
That’s unacceptable, because it means that workers don’t get time away to spend with family, friends or to simply recharge over the weekend – and your working conditions are your patients’ care conditions.
But workers made a stand and told management that if this wasn’t resolved, they’d take industrial action and cease work because the situation was genuinely unsafe. After months of management sitting on their hands, workers were able to get them to fix things almost overnight when they threatened industrial action – not that it should have to come to that.
Now, orthotics and prosthetics workers will work 1 in 4 weekends with a commitment from management to put plans in place to transition to 1 in 6-8 weekends in the long-term.
It pays to be union and to stand up against unsafe working conditions in your workplace –congratulations to these allied health workers!
If you feel that your workplace is unsafe and want to see change, then make sure you get in touch with me so that we can make a plan together and speak up with a strong and united voice.