HSU members have endorsed a offer that includes an across the board wage rise of $3500, improved salary packaging and immediate commencement of award reform that will boost salaries to better reflect skills and productivity.
The agreement was endorsed by members by a 54-46 margin.
The agreement covers 70,000 health workers, including hospital cleaners, wards people, allied health professionals and security officers. It includes:
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A flat $3,500 increase to base pay rates
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A 0.5 per cent increase to superannuation
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An increase in the proportion salary packaging benefits workers can keep from 50% to 60%, backdated July 1 2023
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Immediate commencement of Award reform
HSU NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes said: “This agreement delivers an immediate, life altering wage rise for workers on modest wages, such as security officers and wardspeople. For people on higher classifications such as allied health, it unlocks thousands in salary packaging benefits and promises much more in the future through award reform and work value cases.
“This ends a decades-old injustice where health workers were required to hand over half their salary packaging savings to the government. The amount of tax savings our members keep will rise to 60 per cent immediately. Our membership has also endorsed an ongoing industrial campaign to start Monday to pursue 100% salary packaging.
“Solidarity and a strong sense of humanity underpin this agreement. It has been won through a spirited and robust campaign.”
Further comment: Gerard Hayes 0417 275 821