The Victorian Government wants to introduce a Portable Long Service Leave Scheme. However Community Sector Organisations are opposed to it. A Portable Long Service Leave Scheme is crucial if we are to begin to address the overwhelming recruitment and retention issues in the Non-Government Sector.

Please fill out the form below to send an email in support of the proposed scheme.

6:45pm - Friday November 6th 2009

Venue: AMWU, Level 3/251 Queensberry St, Cartlon VIC 3056 (Corner Leicester St)

Presentations, drinks, delicious finger food and live music

Since its inception 25 years ago ,the Anna Stewart Memorial Project continues to be the flagship-training project for union women, and have seen the growth of many union leaders in Victorian unions. The VTHC Women's committee invites you to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the ASMP. All past and recent project participants, unions and supports welcome. As this is the 50th Anniversary year of the Trades Hall building, we have much to celebrate and must not forget the work and achievements of such a cornerstone program as the Anna Steward Memorial Project.

Contact: Jennifer O'Donnell-Pirisi, VTHC Women's Officer, on 0412 228 247 or 9659 3535 -Email jo'donnel-pirisi@vthc.org.au

RSVP by: Friday 30 October, Cheryl Fruscalzo 9659 3576 - Email cfruscalzo@vthc.org.au

A pay increase of 5.25% will flow to HACSU’s Health Professional Members in their next pay after agreement was finally met between Employers and the Union.

The payrise is backdated to 21 November 2008 and members will receive this backpay shortly.

These payrises add to the conditions already won for Health Professionals working in Mental Health including additional study leave, CATT oncall and improvements in case management and staffing levels.

For more information contact HACSU Member Services Team on 1300 651 931.

Specific Strategic Replacement & Refurbishment Program (SRRP) meetings between the DHS and HACSU delegate Carmel Palumbo and Official Lisa White have been held throughout the past year. The Union intends for the SRRP to become a standing agenda item at the monthly Regional Consultative Committee meeting. Until this occurs the local meetings will continue.

On Tue 28th July, about 100 HACSU delegates met at Trades Hall in Melbourne to discuss various matters arising out of the DHS Disability EBA. In particular, delegates came together to discuss the finger scanning log on process that DHS are proposing as a replacement to paper timesheets.

Delegates heard from DHS representatives’ which was followed by a lively discussion. Some concerns were alleviated while other concerns were raised. One thing is for certain though: members are very sceptical of the system.

The meeting passed a resolution stating that HACSU opposes the use of a biometric logging system. The resolution also stated that we will establish a reference group of delegates to consult with the DHS on this matter and undertake further discussions.

This process and information has been poorly managed by the Department. There has been a lot of misinformation caused by a lack of consultation which has only lead to more confusion and anxiety. By passing this resolution members have committed to getting actively involved in this process to ensure that the Department remain accountable and that the concerns of members are heard.

Thanks to everyone that took the time to come down to the meeting – especially those that came from outside the metropolitan area.

We will keep you up to date as the issue processes.

Victorian Trades Hall Council is running a series of initial 5-day Occupational Health and Safety Training in Regional Victoria.

The State Government has not allocated any significant funding in this years State Budget for the future redevelopment of Colanda Residential Services. However, the Minister for Community Services Lisa Neville has announced a more limited support package for Colanda designed to ensure ongoing service stability and support for Colanda Residential Services and to enable 10 residents to have their preferences to move to the community sooner.

HACSU has acted to secure new wage increases for our administrative and support services members working in mental health.

The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), which represents the professional and industrial interests of the Mental Health workforce, was relived to see an additional 8 bed allocated to Geelong’s Swanston Centre in the 2009 State Budget.