St John are stopping bargaining with Ambulance workers from First Union. This is called avoidance and is an unhealthy coping mechanism.
Using laws brought in under the current government, St John are using any mechanisms available to cope in a context of severe underfunding. They are running at a deficit and have to charge the public more and are now taking it out on workers. In desperate times we all can make bad decisions.
“I think that this is the wrong approach, it’s like burying your head in the sand… the problems not going away. Avoidance is not a healthy coping strategy. As a Nurse I know that when there is a problem you need to resolve it… it’s like leaving a wound to fester… avoiding it is not going to make it go away” says Hamish Hutchinson (Registered Nurse and Health Sector Workers Network member)
The option to opt-out of bargaining is a mechanism brought in to break union bargaining power. This is an example of anti-worker efforts from an establishment that wants to see the downfall of working people’s right to achieve better conditions. Shame. Workers are the lifeblood of our health system.
St John are doing this because the government are not funding health services adequately. 70% of funding for St John Ambulance services comes from the government. The government could step in to resolve this issue but is instead sitting passively by watching their legislative changes making it harder for working people.
Health Sector Workers Network are calling St John to go back to the table, sort this out and stop perpetuating unhealthy behaviours.
