HSU NSW AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY AFFILIATION DISCUSSION PAPER INTRODUCTION The Health Services Union in NSW is made up of 32,000 members. Our members come from a diverse range of backgrounds and vary a great deal in their employment, classifications and jurisdiction. Approximately 22% of our Union’s members come within Federal jurisdictions, while 78% come within NSW State jurisdiction.

The main industries covered by our Union are Public Health, Private Health, Aged Care, Ambulance and Disability. Our members are covered by over 350 industrial instruments that incorporate more than 200 different classifications.

Our membership is approximately 60% female and 40% male, and come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. The Union has a governance process that includes Union Council, Union Committee of Management and Union Finance Committee. The Union is also federally affiliated with the National HSU.

The NSW Branch comprises of 32,000 members and contributes to an overall National Union membership of some 76,000 members. The National Union’s membership base is reflective of the NSW Union’s.

The NSW Union is affiliated to Unions NSW and the ACTU.

The Union is subject to a range of legislation; however, our industrial registration is established through the NSW Industrial Arbitration Act and the Fair Work Act. Through these two pieces of legislation the Union is able to support members in the Fair Work Commission as well as the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

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A RATIONALE FOR AFFILIATING TO THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY I have visited members in every part of the state at least two or three times a year over the past two and a half years. During these visits I have spoken with members on a range of issues of great importance. These include but are not limited to work pressures, staffing numbers, work health and safety issues, bullying and harassment, privatisation, and recognition within the Health and Aged Care sectors.

Many members have been of the view that while medical staff and nursing staff are accorded recognition for the work they perform, other health workers, whether they are health professionals, community health support staff or managerial staff, are too often overlooked both within workplaces and on a community basis.

Due to this lack of recognition the Union embarked on the ’We All Matter’ campaign which highlighted to metropolitan and regional communities that the health and aged care sectors have a cooperative workforce, and that all workers contribute to positive patient outcomes.

For many years, the NSW Government has indicated that ‘frontline services’ are unaffected by reductions in staff and funding. The phrase ‘frontline services’ generally refers to medical and nursing staff. Cuts that have continually been made to HSU members’ classifications have created a burden on other HSU members, clinicians, and ultimately patient outcomes.

With respect to Aged Care, we have seen the Aged Care supplement removed which has placed further burden upon the Aged Care industry. The Aged Care supplement went some way to enhancing wages and promoting an ability for employers to attract and retain staff. I would note that the supplement was not the ultimate resolution to wages. More work and advocacy needs to be undertaken to ensure that Aged Care is remunerated at a level consistent with the expectations of the community, and the needs of our ageing population.

In the Ambulance Service, we see a pitched battle to enhance staffing. The State Government has only promised a meagre 35 extra paramedics over a

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period of 4 years. This kind of commitment is unacceptable when we are facing a growing population, fuelled by further expansion of medium and high density housing in cities and growth in regional communities. In fulltime equivalent numbers there are approximately 3,500 paramedics, which compares to approximately 8,000 fire fighters and 19,000 police.

It should be noted that paramedics work as a team so effectively that little more than 1500 crews are in place to deliver services across the State, as compared to the greater resources of other emergency services. It’s fair to say that these professions are different in their nature and a direct comparison of their roles is difficult to make, however, the contrasting investment in resources cannot be escaped.

The expansion of the Private Health sector continues apace, whether through private-public partnerships, the introduction of private hospitals that service the public, or the growth of private diagnostics.

As previously mentioned, the NSW Union is affiliated with the National Union, and due to our size we comprise nearly 50% of the national body. The National Union is made up of Victoria Branches No. 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as the Tasmanian Branch, the South Australian Branch, the West Australian Branch and the Queensland Branch.

Half of the Branches affiliated to the National Union are affiliated to the ALP, and as such are able to progress the cause of their respective membership at a state and national level. In doing so, these Branches have the ability to promote and highlight the interests of their respective memberships and have influence in relation to policy and legislation that may affect their members.

The majority of large Unions affiliated to Unions NSW and the ACTU are also affiliated with the ALP. Again, these Unions have the ability to advance the interests of their membership by contributing to policy debate and the development of legislation.

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It will be said that Unions such as the Police Association, Teachers’ Federation and the Nurses’ and Midwives’ Association are not affiliated to any political party. However it is important to note that while being large Unions, they are also Unions that represent a distinct set of easily recognised workers. There may be some small difference in the roles that each of the respective Union members undertakes, but the fundamental nature of their employment is that of a nurse, police officer or teacher.

State elections are also generally fought with the issues of health, law enforcement and education being foremost in debate, which gives these distinct Unions a great advantage.

Nationally, we have seen an enhanced focus and concentration on industrial relations that is inclusive of wages and conditions, particularly with the recent Productivity Commission Workplace Relations framework report. The target drawn on penalty rates, and the uncertain concept of global competitiveness that has been advanced, is a smokescreen over the further degradation of working people’s wages and conditions. The Royal Commission has also attacked Unions at a national level under the pretext that the current legislation does not adequately support the appropriate administration and conduct of Unions. This is generally not corroborated by the evidence. For example, witness the way this Union has been able to reform and hold people to account under the current legislative processes.

From a State perspective, we are now seeing an absolute impasse on any form of work/value movement above 2.5% without award trade-offs. Given that we are living in a period of great change and efficiency enhancement, the Industrial Relations system is completely hamstrung to promote efficiencies that should be rewarded by wages growth based on skill and educational development.

In considering political affiliation and affiliation with the Australian Labor Party, it is incumbent upon us to ask several questions. The first question should be, for what purpose are we affiliating?

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The purpose for any affiliation to a collective Organisation – particularly a political organisation – must be underpinned by the concept of ideological compatibility, and the undertaking that the relationship would be one of mutual support and contribution.

In saying this, it is important to note that the NSW HSU has proven itself to be functioning at a very high level industrially and within the community. Where it does still have a need to exercise influence is at a political level. An example of this is the fact that the Union expends resources on many matters, whether it be making representations in the courts, campaigning within the workplace or campaigning within the community. These activities have in very many cases been successful; however, the Union is obliged to engage in many of these issues time and time again. This is due to the fact that the policy of the NSW Government is to marginalise and decrease the health workforce while protecting a small portion of ‘frontline services’ – again, which does not include our membership.

This is not a new occurrence – in fact, there has consistently been a lack of focus on HSU members’ concerns by previous Governments. This should not be dismissed. The purpose of affiliation is to exercise influence to ensure that outcomes for our membership are promoted, focussed on and achieved. The ability to articulate and progress issues in a robust manner, and to ensure that the needs of our members are not overlooked by those charged with making such decisions, is absolutely crucial.

Another question that should be asked is that members may come from a variety of different political backgrounds, so why affiliate to one particular Party? The truth is, only the Labor party offers us the opportunity to so directly contribute to policy and decision making.

As a Union we can articulate our issues clearly, engage different groups to express our concerns, and influence any political party to change or adapt their policy by lobbying. We will continue to do this, no matter the outcome on Labor Party affiliation.

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The strength of our Union is in its size. The additional strength the Union has is that it understands community values due to its diverse membership base. With the numbers, and community understanding and involvement, we are in a very good position to be able to influence and initiate change that supports our members and the communities that they live within.

CONCLUSION

As a Union, we have experienced some very difficult times that could have destroyed both the organisation and its members. We have been able to rebuild and promote the finest objectives of the Union movement. We have learnt many lessons and have started many initiatives that have seen this organisation grow and develop at a considerable rate while under consistent attacks from a range of departments and Governments.

The challenges that this Union has faced and the outcomes it has achieved over the past two and a half years have served to ensure the longevity of the Union, so that it can truly serve each and every member.

We have been able to support other Unions from across the political spectrum, and through our activities we have been able to contribute to the wider Union movement. Most if not all of these organisations have a say in the direction of the ALP and hold influence with respect to industrial matters that are subject to legislative change.

While we support these groups and other Branches of the HSU, our Union currently has no influence or relationship with those who make the decisions that will affect the future of our members and our organisation.

I am mindful that there are a range of different political views within our organisation. This is important, because without debate and forthright engagement of different viewpoints, appropriate reform is not achievable in the short or long term.

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I have made the point from the time of coming into my position as the Secretary of the Union that I will not seek political appointment or accept any form of pre-selection or political opportunity. Furthermore, I will not sit on any boards that would afford financial reward or opportunity. I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm these commitments with the membership.

From my perspective, affiliation is important to deliver outcomes and exercise influence in matters that have a bearing on the Union and its members. As previously mentioned, the Union functions at a very high level industrially, socially and in the media. To be able to complement this level of influence by acting in the political sphere, for the betterment of our members and their families, would be appropriate and is a necessary part of the Union’s function in supporting members and delivering community reform. My voice, however, is only one voice out of many. I look forward to hearing your views on this issue.