HACSU has received notice that the VHIA have applied to suspend the protected action bans in the Fair Work Commission. This is an expensive legal process and is a clear demonstration that the VHIA would rather spend money on barristers, taking HACSU to the commission, instead of getting the agreement finalised.

Several time over the past month HACSU have offered to lift the bans in return for lump sum payments (back payments) to be made prior to Christmas. This has been met with no consideration from the VHIA.

HACSU provided a complete draft EBA to the VHIA and all other parties in early November. After providing this draft it took three weeks for the VHIA to agree to a meeting time to finish drafting. HACSU have made ample time to expedite the finalisation process since we achieved the in-principle agreement in October.

Since last week a meeting between the VHIA and HACSU has been scheduled for this coming Wednesday, which only came about from HACSUs persistence. All issues could be resolved in this meeting.

The VHIA’s conduct in this process demonstrates that they have been dragging their feet on what is a hugely important matter for thousands of public mental health workers across Victoria. Monday’s hearing is just another example of the VHIA wasting time and money.

The hearing is scheduled for 9am, HACSU will provide more information as it becomes available.