Vic: Mental health workers walk off the job

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2004
Vic: Mental health workers walk off the job

MELBOURNE, April 27 AAP - Victorian mental health workers walked off the job today
to consider escalating industrial action in their dispute with the state government.

The stoppage from 12.30pm, by up to 70 psychiatric nurses and mental health professionals,
is part of a statewide campaign for a new enterprise agreement.

Rolling stoppages are already scheduled across the state as part of the campaign, as
well as a statewide stoppage on May 6.

Workers are seeking an eight per cent pay rise, specialist training, improved staffing
levels and better career opportunities.

Health and Community Services Union Victorian secretary Lloyd Williams said the action
was aimed at forcing the state government to address a crisis in Victoria's mental health
services.

"Our members are asking for no more than the promises the Bracks government gave to
Victorians at the last state election," he said.

The stoppage comes as the state government fights to have a separate campaign of nurses'
work bans declared illegal.

The government is arguing that case in the Australian Industrial relations Commission today.

AAP bp/gfr/tma/br

KEYWORD: MENTAL

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