Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now. Yesterday on the show, I spoke to Professional Pharmacists Australia,
the union representing NT pharmacists and technicians who are employed
by the Northern Territory government. Now Executive Officer Jessica Hensman
said that members are taking industrial action which is going
to cost the Northern Territory government. She says a million
dollars a week by not claiming subsidies for medications. Now,
(00:23):
the union says they've got to this point due to
the long running concerns about understaffing at hospital pharmacies with
no permanent staffing Catherine, which could impact cancer services. Take
a listen to what she had to say on the
show yesterday.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Put some money on the table. This is a dire situation.
We cannot compete with other states or territories or the
private sector. So if you want Territorians to be safe
when they go to hospital, put some money on the table.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Now. The Commissioner for Public Employment, Nicole Hurwood, joins me
on the line. Good morning, Commissioner, Good morning Katie, thanks
so much for your time this morning. Now, from your perspective,
where are the negotiations at with pharmacists in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
So, Katie, we've put an offer out which has been
out with the unions and with our workforce for two
and a half weeks, and we're currently considering feedback that's
coming back in about that offer, with a view to
be putting that offer out to an employee vote.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Okay, So, with that feedback being received or taking a
look at that feedback, is there potential here that that
offer could be increased to try and make these salaries
a bit more competitive with other states.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
So, Katie, we've got an offer that's out that we
think is very fair. It considers a three percent salary
increase and a range of improvements for our professional workforce.
I will consider all the feedback that comes in about
the offer, and then, as I said, I'll be putting
that out for a vote for employees. But certainly there
(01:59):
are a rain of improvements in the current offer that
I think are very generous and affordable.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Commissioner, can you talk us through what is being offered,
what is on the table at the moment?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Sure, So we're offering a three percent pay rise, which
is well above the current CPI and predicted CPI and
for professionals in particular, we've got a range of new
and improved measures, which include access to over time, which
for some of those professionals they haven't had access to before.
(02:32):
We've got a range of new allowance options which can
actually provide additional incentives for professionals and other professional incentives
and professional development kind of uplifts in their remuneration, which
depending on their level and where they live, can be
up to around twenty two thousand dollars.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Okay, what's the sticking point from your perspective, you know,
as you understand it from pharmacists at this point.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Look, I think the union's role is to represent and
advocate for their members, and there's always going to be
wanting to have more. I guess from my perspective, we've
put a really good offer on the table. There are
some concerns that they've expressed around vacancy rates and the workforce,
and I think, you know, NT Health will be better
place to comment on the work they're doing to improve
(03:21):
vacancy rates. But they do have currently now already in
place a range of measures to ensure that people can
access their medicine and will continue to do so while
these actions underway.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Look, obviously I'm very conscious of the fact that the
Health Department is in charge of that side of things.
But to me, it is concerning if we've got a
situation in Catherine, for example, where we've got a one
hundred percent vacancy rate, is what the union's telling us
and the impact that that's potentially going to have for
the people of Catherine.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Yeah, what I'd say to that, I guess is that
the Department of Health have got a lot of plans
in place to ensure that people are getting their met
and then they're continuing to do so. Now you know,
they employ other workforce such as locans to come in
and support where they might have staffing issues, and they
continue to do that on a day to day basis
across all of their service areas, and Department of Health,
(04:15):
you know, really do put the safety of patients at
the center of what they do.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Yeah, I guess. Again the argument would be, though, if
you're having to bring in locos from other locations to
fill those roles or to to cover those roles, surely
that ends up being more expensive, a more expensive process
for us down the track than amping up the pay
a little bit more for those permanent staff.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Well, as I said Katy, I think the offer that
we do have on the table is a really good offer,
a three percent salary increase in a range of incentives
for professionals in particular, amongst other things, and the Northern
Churchary Public Service in itself is quite an attractive employment
options for people in the sense that we have some
of the best conditions in and leave provisions in now
(05:00):
enterprise agreements nationally. So there are a range of other
things also that you know, people make decisions about in
terms of where they want to work and what they
want to do with their careers.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Commissioner, I know the PPA they claim that a pharmacy
dispensary manager at Royal Darwin Hospital could be paid twenty
thousand dollars more to do the same job in Queensland.
I mean it does sound like a big disparity.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Look, it's really difficult, Katie, to compare across jurisdictions. We
all jurisdictions in Australia have very different employment structures, different
employment conditions, and as I've said before, some of our
conditions and lead provisions for example, or some of the
most generous in the country. So it's not just about salary.
When we're talking about the remuneration package that we offer.
(05:51):
That said, we do have very good professional salary rates,
and we're offering even more under this under this off From.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Your perspective, what impact is the industrial action that they
are taking going to have? I mean, from what they
said to U sh Es today, it sounds like it's
going to be costly if it is, you know, if
it's a million dollars a week in terms of you know,
not claiming those subsidies.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Look, we respect the right of our employees to take
the action they can legally do that, but really in
terms of the subsidies and the other actions, that's probably
more important for the department selves to talk about the impact.
But I guess they are. There are a range of
different actions that there's been approved to undertake, and the
(06:39):
Department of Health will do all the things necessary to
make sure that people can still get their medicine at
this time.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Commissioner Where to from here? From your perspective, I mean,
as you said, there's a you've got this offer on
the table. You know you are listening to that feedback.
Where too from here? From your perspective?
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Yeah, so, yeah, we will consider all the feed that
that's coming in and then you know, my objective is
to get this offer out to a vote, so hopefully
we can, and you know, I think we will get
a good outcome from the negotiations and really get on
with our business and get the public servants back to
work around delivering the services that Tertior ends and eat
(07:19):
if it does end.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Up going to the arbitration tribunal, is that something that
sort of commonly happens, because I know there was the
discussion last week or the week before about whether the
police would end up doing that. Is that sort of
common practice or does it happen very often?
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Look, Katie, really we'll cross that bridge when if we
have to come to it, but not certainly not in
usually with the public service, we do come to an agreement,
and certainly I'm hoping that this offer will be attractive
to the public service. It is a really good offer
with a three percent salary increase, and you know, I
think we won't necessarily have to take that action. But
(07:57):
it isn't something that commonly happens.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Now, Commissioner, you're a busy woman at the moment. You've
got lots of there's lots of pain negotiations underway.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Isn't there They certainly are well.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Commissioner for Public Employment, Nicole Hurwood, I appreciate your time
this morning. We'll wait and hear how things progress. Thanks
for having a chat with us.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
Thank you, Katie, thank you,
Now. Yesterday on the show, I spoke to Professional Pharmacists Australia,
the union representing NT pharmacists and technicians who are employed
by the Northern Territory government. Now Executive Officer Jessica Hensman
said that members are taking industrial action which is going
to cost the Northern Territory government. She says a million
dollars a week by not claiming subsidies for medications. Now,
(00:23):
the union says they've got to this point due to
the long running concerns about understaffing at hospital pharmacies with
no permanent staffing Catherine, which could impact cancer services. Take
a listen to what she had to say on the
show yesterday.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Put some money on the table. This is a dire situation.
We cannot compete with other states or territories or the
private sector. So if you want Territorians to be safe
when they go to hospital, put some money on the table.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Now. The Commissioner for Public Employment, Nicole Hurwood, joins me
on the line. Good morning, Commissioner, Good morning Katie, thanks
so much for your time this morning. Now, from your perspective,
where are the negotiations at with pharmacists in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
So, Katie, we've put an offer out which has been
out with the unions and with our workforce for two
and a half weeks, and we're currently considering feedback that's
coming back in about that offer, with a view to
be putting that offer out to an employee vote.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Okay, So, with that feedback being received or taking a
look at that feedback, is there potential here that that
offer could be increased to try and make these salaries
a bit more competitive with other states.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
So, Katie, we've got an offer that's out that we
think is very fair. It considers a three percent salary
increase and a range of improvements for our professional workforce.
I will consider all the feedback that comes in about
the offer, and then, as I said, I'll be putting
that out for a vote for employees. But certainly there
(01:59):
are a rain of improvements in the current offer that
I think are very generous and affordable.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Commissioner, can you talk us through what is being offered,
what is on the table at the moment?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Sure, So we're offering a three percent pay rise, which
is well above the current CPI and predicted CPI and
for professionals in particular, we've got a range of new
and improved measures, which include access to over time, which
for some of those professionals they haven't had access to before.
(02:32):
We've got a range of new allowance options which can
actually provide additional incentives for professionals and other professional incentives
and professional development kind of uplifts in their remuneration, which
depending on their level and where they live, can be
up to around twenty two thousand dollars.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Okay, what's the sticking point from your perspective, you know,
as you understand it from pharmacists at this point.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Look, I think the union's role is to represent and
advocate for their members, and there's always going to be
wanting to have more. I guess from my perspective, we've
put a really good offer on the table. There are
some concerns that they've expressed around vacancy rates and the workforce,
and I think, you know, NT Health will be better
place to comment on the work they're doing to improve
(03:21):
vacancy rates. But they do have currently now already in
place a range of measures to ensure that people can
access their medicine and will continue to do so while
these actions underway.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Look, obviously I'm very conscious of the fact that the
Health Department is in charge of that side of things.
But to me, it is concerning if we've got a
situation in Catherine, for example, where we've got a one
hundred percent vacancy rate, is what the union's telling us
and the impact that that's potentially going to have for
the people of Catherine.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Yeah, what I'd say to that, I guess is that
the Department of Health have got a lot of plans
in place to ensure that people are getting their met
and then they're continuing to do so. Now you know,
they employ other workforce such as locans to come in
and support where they might have staffing issues, and they
continue to do that on a day to day basis
across all of their service areas, and Department of Health,
(04:15):
you know, really do put the safety of patients at
the center of what they do.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Yeah, I guess. Again the argument would be, though, if
you're having to bring in locos from other locations to
fill those roles or to to cover those roles, surely
that ends up being more expensive, a more expensive process
for us down the track than amping up the pay
a little bit more for those permanent staff.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Well, as I said Katy, I think the offer that
we do have on the table is a really good offer,
a three percent salary increase in a range of incentives
for professionals in particular, amongst other things, and the Northern
Churchary Public Service in itself is quite an attractive employment
options for people in the sense that we have some
of the best conditions in and leave provisions in now
(05:00):
enterprise agreements nationally. So there are a range of other
things also that you know, people make decisions about in
terms of where they want to work and what they
want to do with their careers.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Commissioner, I know the PPA they claim that a pharmacy
dispensary manager at Royal Darwin Hospital could be paid twenty
thousand dollars more to do the same job in Queensland.
I mean it does sound like a big disparity.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Look, it's really difficult, Katie, to compare across jurisdictions. We
all jurisdictions in Australia have very different employment structures, different
employment conditions, and as I've said before, some of our
conditions and lead provisions for example, or some of the
most generous in the country. So it's not just about salary.
When we're talking about the remuneration package that we offer.
(05:51):
That said, we do have very good professional salary rates,
and we're offering even more under this under this off From.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Your perspective, what impact is the industrial action that they
are taking going to have? I mean, from what they
said to U sh Es today, it sounds like it's
going to be costly if it is, you know, if
it's a million dollars a week in terms of you know,
not claiming those subsidies.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Look, we respect the right of our employees to take
the action they can legally do that, but really in
terms of the subsidies and the other actions, that's probably
more important for the department selves to talk about the impact.
But I guess they are. There are a range of
different actions that there's been approved to undertake, and the
(06:39):
Department of Health will do all the things necessary to
make sure that people can still get their medicine at
this time.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Commissioner Where to from here? From your perspective, I mean,
as you said, there's a you've got this offer on
the table. You know you are listening to that feedback.
Where too from here? From your perspective?
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Yeah, so, yeah, we will consider all the feed that
that's coming in and then you know, my objective is
to get this offer out to a vote, so hopefully
we can, and you know, I think we will get
a good outcome from the negotiations and really get on
with our business and get the public servants back to
work around delivering the services that Tertior ends and eat
(07:19):
if it does end.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Up going to the arbitration tribunal, is that something that
sort of commonly happens, because I know there was the
discussion last week or the week before about whether the
police would end up doing that. Is that sort of
common practice or does it happen very often?
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Look, Katie, really we'll cross that bridge when if we
have to come to it, but not certainly not in
usually with the public service, we do come to an agreement,
and certainly I'm hoping that this offer will be attractive
to the public service. It is a really good offer
with a three percent salary increase, and you know, I
think we won't necessarily have to take that action. But
(07:57):
it isn't something that commonly happens.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Now, Commissioner, you're a busy woman at the moment. You've
got lots of there's lots of pain negotiations underway.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Isn't there They certainly are well.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Commissioner for Public Employment, Nicole Hurwood, I appreciate your time
this morning. We'll wait and hear how things progress. Thanks
for having a chat with us.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
Thank you, Katie, thank you,
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