Professional Pharmacists Australia Executive Officer Jessica Hensman says the industrial action being taken by members will cost the NT Government $1 million a week, with the union concerned about major understaffing at hospital pharmacies, adding that they are calling for an EBA offer with fair pay and conditions

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now. Yesterday on the show, we again spoke about the
concerns of pharmacists in the Northern Territory. We know the
Professional Pharmacists Australia union members were scheduled to commence industrial
action on Friday last week, but they say that the
action was temporarily paused due to a last minute application
made by the Northern Territory government seeking to stop the
action through the Fair Work Commission. Now union members, well,

(00:23):
they started that action yesterday as I understand it. Joining
us live on the line is Executive Officer of the
Professional Pharmacists Australia, Jessica Hensman.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
Good morning to you.

Speaker 3 (00:34):
Jessica, good morning.

Speaker 2 (00:36):
Now tell me what action was taken yesterday.

Speaker 3 (00:41):
So a number of actions were taken yesterday. One of
the key actions that members are taking is basically not
claiming the federal government funding subsidy for medications. And what
that means is that while our members take action, it's
going to be costing the TERROR for a million dollars
a week.

Speaker 1 (01:02):
Wow, and talk our listeners through to those who maybe
aren't aware of why you're taking this action, maybe they
missed our last interview. Why is this needed and why
have you reached this point.

Speaker 3 (01:16):
So we've reached this point because for over twelve months
now our members have been raising the alarm over dangerously
understaffed hospital pharmacy departments. So fifty percent understaffed Dallas Springs,
thirty percent at Royal Darwin and Parmerson Hospital, and no
permanent staff at Catherine Hospital, which means that cancer services

(01:37):
could you know, be shut down at Catherine. So big,
big issues.

Speaker 1 (01:42):
Yeah, and look, last time we spoke, you know, you'd
outlaid those concerns and really made it very clear for
me to see why this was needed. I mean, we
are talking about here pharmacists being paid the same amount
as what they get paid to do the same job
in another state, aren't we.

Speaker 3 (02:00):
That's correct. One of our members who's the pharmacy dispensary
manager at Royal Darwin could be paid twenty thousand dollars
more to do the same job in Queensland.

Speaker 1 (02:12):
Like, why are we in a situation in the Northern
Territory where you guys are not getting paid the same
as you know, as your equivalents interstate.

Speaker 3 (02:22):
I think you know, pharmacists are a small group in
the in the sea of public servants here and I
think it's kind of a case of just not having
their voices heard, and now we're making our voices heard,
but unfortunately the government is not responding.

Speaker 2 (02:41):
So where too from here? What are your next steps?

Speaker 3 (02:44):
From your perspective, our members are going to continue taking
industrial action until they hear from the government. Unfortunately, the
government's playing dirty tactics and docking our members pay by
twenty five percent each day that they participate in action.
But our members have said to me that they feel

(03:04):
like they have no other option. It's either you know,
an imminent collapse of pharmacy services in the future, or
they fight. They fight their little heart out to make changes.

Speaker 1 (03:16):
I know that, you know, the government seems to think
that it's just another union sort of looking to cause
trouble for them because there's a pay negotiation underway. I mean,
what would you say to anybody listening this morning that
thinks that.

Speaker 3 (03:30):
So this is the first time in history that pharmacists
and pharmacy technicians have taken industrial action in the Northern Territory.
So it takes a lot to get pharmacists and technicians
fired up. But where they draw the line is where
patient safety is at risk. So that's what's happening.

Speaker 1 (03:49):
And I know you've got the support as well of
the Australian Salary Medical Officers I believe is their name,
but you know you've got the support of other medical
professionals here who really feel that there does need to
be some change in this space.

Speaker 3 (04:06):
Absolutely, the doctors and the nurses are being a big support.
They really need pharmacists by their side to make sure
that medication areas are picked up and that Territorians know
that when they go to hospital that they're going to
be safe.

Speaker 1 (04:22):
Yep, Jessica, I believe we're in a We're trying to
get either the Minister or the you know, the departmental
head the Commissioner on the show about this tomorrow.

Speaker 2 (04:35):
What is your message for them?

Speaker 3 (04:39):
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 (04:54):
Well, Jessica, I really appreciate your time this morning. My
understanding is that we have locked in the OCPE the
Commissioner fort tomorrow morning, so we will certainly put that
to the Commissioner and let you know.

Speaker 2 (05:07):
How we go. Thank you so much, Thank you appreciate
your time this morning.