Medical imaging staff at the Royal Hobart Hospital have walked off the job for 30 minutes this morning to protest the government’s “inaction” on implementing a market allowance.
The Health & Community Services Union (HACSU) says the allowance is needed to address chronic retention and attraction issues, with some staff receiving more than $10 an hour less than they would be paid in the private sector interstate.
Industrial Manager Lucas Digney said this disparity in pay has meant the hospital’s medical imaging department is currently operating at 30% capacity.
“Medical imaging workers are currently facing a critical shortage, with 30% of roles unfilled,” he said.
“This shortfall is leading to significant and unacceptable challenges, which in turn are causing delays and preventing the Tasmanian community from receiving vital medical treatments that are essential for their health.”
Digney said the Department of Health committed to applying for the allowance several weeks ago but has been “sitting on its hands ever since”.
“The Health Minister promised to address the issues plaguing our health system and this is something straightforward and easy he can do,” he said.
“Just tick off on paying competitive salaries, aligning the salaries with what other state governments offer their healthcare staff, but all we hear is excuse after excuse.”
The striking union members said they “do not take the decision to stop work lightly”, but feel they have “no other choice”.
When asked about the action in state parliament on Wednesday, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the Health Department is “actively recruiting” to minimise the impact to patients.
He said this includes “outsourcing to private providers where appropriate to also use the use of locums as well”.
“I’m also advised that there is a national and international shortage of medical imaging staff which has resulted in an extremely competitive recruitment environment,” Rockliff said.
“Of course, always take very seriously at face value the views of our industrial advocates, in this case, of course, HACSU and the ANMF that we’ve been engaging with quite extensively, the AMA as well.”
