ACT Health Professionals need cost of living relief before Xmas

Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), Professionals Australia and Health Services Union members are calling on the government to deliver their agreed $1250 cost of living payment to ACT Health Professionals before Christmas.

Unions today presented the Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr with an oversized invoice for the payment of these 1700 workers, calling on them to bring forward the payment as Health Professionals Enterprise Agreement negotiations blow out due to government delays.

The $1,250 payment, which would be made before the finalisation of bargaining, would help our hard-working Health Professionals to make ends meet this Christmas.

Health Professionals include social workers, radiographers, radiation therapists, pathologists, psychologists, pharmacists, and physios.

Quotes attributable to Maddy Northam, CPSU Regional Secretary

"CPSU members are calling on Chief Minister Andrew Barr to extend a lifeline to health professionals by providing the cost of living payment before Christmas. This measure is essential to address the immediate struggles faced by our local health workforce in buying Christmas gifts for their families and putting food on the table.

“The Chief Minister has the capacity to help thousands of families around Canberra this Christmas. These are families that missed out on seeing their loved ones during the height of the pandemic.

“These are the workers that keep our health system running 24/7 for all Canberrans. To withhold their cost of living payment would be a failure to recognise the immense contribution they make to our community every day.”

“With the stroke of a pen, the Chief Minister can make sure health professionals have the opportunity to enjoy their Christmas.”

Quotes attributable to Daniel Griffin, Professionals Australia Organiser

"As we go into Christmas, Health Professionals in the ACT Government are facing cost of living pressures with no relief in sight as their EA Negotiations blow out into 2024"

"Our members have bills to pay that won't wait for government delay. Today the Chief Minister is getting a bill that won't wait either."