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Home >News >April 20th HACSU Daily Update

April 20th HACSU Daily Update

2020-04-20

Hello members,

 

Today, as you might have seen Minister for Disability, the Hon Luke Donnellan provided a message to disability workers across Victoria, via his social media page, thanking disability workers for your role during this pandemic.

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We want to share our thanks to members and to the Minister for his thoughts. HACSU State Secretary Paul Healey and Assistant State Secretary Kate Marshall are meeting with Minister Donnellan fortnightly meetings and on an as-needs basis, to discuss concerns raised by HACSU members.

As well as meeting with the Minister for Disability, HACSU leaders are meeting weekly with the Minister for Health, Jenny Mikakos.

 

You might have also seen via our Facebook page earlier today, Paul Healey has been in talks with Labor for Drug Law Reform about harm minimisation and what more is needed to support the alcohol and other drugs sector in Victoria. You can see a video of Paul sharing the views of the union here.

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Assistant State Secretary Kate and Senior Industrial Officer Elisa met today with officials from the Department of Health and Human Services to discuss early access to Long Service Leave for workers. We don’t have a response as yet and will advise members when we know more but it should be noted that this will relate ONLY to those requiring leave due to the pandemic.

 

They also discussed the Early Retirement Packages (ERPs) for those DHHS Disability members who were successful in their existing expression of interest; the following was determined:

  • Those who were successful in obtaining an ERP who wish to advance their exit date, this may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • Those who were successful in obtaining an ERP who wish to extend their exit to a later date, this option may be open to you; contact the Department for further details.
  • Those who were successful in obtaining an ERP who wish to withdraw their offer of the ERP, this may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Department, or HACSU.

 

The Department of Health and Human Services today released further updated guidelines for workforce regarding COVID-19. Changes made to the guidelines include:

  • Healthcare workers who are confirmed cases are required to undergo two consecutive negative respiratory COVID-19 tests, collected 24 hours apart after the acute illness has resolved, before returning to work; this must be at least 7 days after the onset of illness;
  • If you have a close contact who is a confirmed case, you should not return to work until you have completed a full 14 days of self-isolation; regardless of whether you have symptoms;
  • As not enough is known about the impact of COVID-19 for pregnant healthcare workers, those pre-28-weeks gestation are to avoid areas where suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases are; where this is not possible pregnant employees should wear PPE in line with current DHHS advice;
  • After 28 weeks gestation, pregnant employees should not be in roles with direct client contact and avoid all contact with;
  • For ‘at-risk’ workers who are unwell or for whose underlying medical conditions prevent them from working, it is expected Personal Leave is used first; access to Special Leave will be considered on a case-by-case basis;
  • For ‘at-risk’ workers who are not unwell or prevented from work due to underlying medical conditions, employers should attempt to find alternative duties for these workers.

 

Single Touch Payroll

A reminder to all DHHS transfered services staff: you would have received a single touch payroll form from your relevant provider. It is very important that you return that form immediately to your provider, otherwise you will be double taxed when you receive your pay, until you return your form.

 

Earlier today the ACTU released guidelines on working from home and psychological health and safety. You can read the guidelines here, or print a copy for your workplace.

 

 

In unity,

 

HACSU.