Bupa workers in dispute action

GEELONG’S Bupa nurses and carers will step up their industrial action tomorrow as their fight for better pay and conditions enters the Federal Court.

Workers at Bupa Bellarine Lakes in Moolap will stop filling out funding paperwork and will work to rosters unless overtime is approved in writing, as part of the protest.

The escalation comes as parties go to the Federal Court today to hear the nursing union’s case about Bupa’s failure to consult staff and the union about its recent redundancy program.

Bupa announced the proposal on October 3, intended to decide who would work in the remaining positions within three days, and planned to implement it the following week.

The company’s plans have seen almost 1000 nurses and carers join an industrial campaign across Bupa’s 26 Victorian nursing homes.

The nursing union says Bupa nurses and carers are among the lowest paid in the Victorian aged care sector, with their last wage increase, of 1.75 per cent, coming 17 months ago.

Bupa has significantly improved its wage offer since the industrial action began a fortnight ago, when the company announced senior positions would be made redundant.

In December 2016, Bupa offered a 2.1 per cent wage offer in a one-year agreement. It has increased that to 11.25 per cent in a three-year deal.

But the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation recommends rejecting the wage offer because it does not address inadequate staffing issues.

With negotiations at a stalemate, parties will head to the Fair Work Commission on Thursday to try to reach a deal.