Hundreds of essential workers at one of North Queensland's largest hospitals are staring down the barrel of a massive pay cut, with a looming contract change threatening to slash their wages by up to 25 per cent.
Contract Clash Puts Wages on the Chopping Block
The dispute centres on staff employed by Queensland Health at the Townsville University Hospital under the Engineering and Maintenance Services (EMS) agreement. Their existing contract is set to expire, and the new proposal from the government has sent shockwaves through the workforce.
According to the Together Union, which represents many of the affected employees, the new arrangement would see these workers moved onto the Queensland Public Health Sector Agreement. While this might sound like a simple administrative change, the union warns it carries a devastating financial penalty.
The core of the issue is the loss of specific allowances and conditions currently in the EMS agreement. The union calculates that for some workers, particularly those in roles like Workshop Officers, this shift could mean a staggering reduction in their take-home pay of around $1000 per fortnight.
"Imagine Losing a Quarter of Your Wage"
Union officials are sounding the alarm, framing the potential cuts as a direct attack on the livelihoods of skilled workers who keep the critical hospital infrastructure running.
"Imagine being told you're about to lose a quarter of your wage," a union spokesperson stated, highlighting the profound personal impact. These staff members are responsible for vital services including medical gas systems, air conditioning, electrical networks, and biomedical engineering. Their work ensures the hospital's operating theatres, intensive care units, and wards function safely and effectively.
The union argues that such a significant pay cut would not only cripple household budgets but also trigger a staffing exodus, making it impossible to recruit and retain the skilled tradespeople needed to maintain the hospital. This, they warn, poses a serious risk to patient safety and service delivery across the entire North Queensland region that depends on the tertiary hospital.
Broader Implications for Regional Healthcare
This dispute extends beyond the immediate pay packets of several hundred workers. Unions see it as a critical test case that could set a dangerous precedent for other Queensland Health workers on similar contracts across the state.
The potential consequences are multifaceted. A loss of experienced staff would lead to a deepening skills shortage in the region. Furthermore, the morale of the entire workforce could plummet, affecting productivity and care. The union is calling on the Queensland Government and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman to intervene and ensure these essential workers are not left thousands of dollars worse off.
With the contract expiry date approaching, the clock is ticking for a resolution. The coming weeks will determine whether a compromise can be reached or if North Queensland's premier hospital faces a major industrial and operational crisis.
