Our campaign for Better Mental Health continues in May! We’ve continued visiting Victorian MPs to talk about the campaign and what we’re hearing from members. We also launched the HACSU Mental Health Workforce survey and received some fantastic response rates – a HUGE thanks to everyone who took the time to complete the survey, which will help to form our submission to the Royal Commission into Mental Health.

Unfortunately, we weren’t surprised by the results of the survey, which found that most members have felt ‘fairly negatively’ about their work over the past three months and that some of the time most members feel their job puts their health and safety at risk.

We know about these issues because we’ve heard it from you before. We’re ready for change and we need YOU to get your game face on – this Royal Commission provides us with some great opportunities but even before then, we’ll be bargaining for your EBA. 

Our campaign for Better Mental Health continues this month with further lobbying efforts. We'll be holding a stall at Queens Hall in Parliament House next week so we can talk to Victorian Ministers about the important changes we need to improve the sector! Throughout our political lobbying, we're aiming to improve mental health literacy and build advocates in those who are making decisions about the sector!

If you're keen to come along to Parliament House to talk about your experiences working in mental health, please let us know! hacsu@hacsu.asn.au

Beginning in the next several weeks we will see four new RPN Educator, three PEN Educator and 3 Allied Health Educator positions come into effect. These roles were won by members in the last EBA round to benefit members across the State. In order to continue to improve conditions in our upcoming EBA campaign, we need as many members voices as possible!

Have a conversation with your colleagues today about the importance of high union density in collective bargaining. The more members we have voting for the best wages and conditions, the more likely we can win! 

Take a screenshot of this elephant or click here to download our poster and start a conversation in your office today – and let us know if you want us to come out to visit your workplace to help you to talk to your colleagues about the benefits of being a HACSU member – hacsu@hacsu.asn.au!

Beginning in the next several weeks we will see four new RPN Educator, 3 PEN Educator and 3 Allied Health Educator positions come into effect. These roles were won by members in the last EBA round to benefit members across the State. In order to continue to improve conditions in our upcoming EBA campaign, we need as many members voices as possible!

Formal submissions direct to the Royal Commission are still open if you want to have your own say on the state of the sector. To provide a submission click here or go to this website: https://rcvmhs.vic.gov.au/submissions

Don’t forget about the upcoming training events now open for registration - the Collaborative Conference and the National Allied Health Conference. We’d recommend registering ASAP if you’re keen to attend – there are still early bird tickets available! Also don’t forget that HACSU provides free training to all members! You can read more about the training available here.

Do you or your colleagues need more information about the importance of this historical time in the mental health sector? Want to learn more about how the Royal Commission might impact your work? Contact us hacsu@hacsu.asn.au or call 1300 651 931 to arrange a workplace meeting!