ACT Public Hospital Doctors Enterprise Agreement Update
Following a final hearing before the Fair Work Commission (FWC) on 7 December 2020, the FWC has approved the Medical Practitioners Enterprise Agreement 2017-2021. (the EA). The EA came into legal effect on 18 January 2021.The agreement was voted on in October 2020, with over 90% of employee votes cast in support of the agreement.
Pay and superannuation increases for current Canberra Health Service (CHS) employees under the agreement have already been implemented administratively,
Back Pay
CHS have notified that back-pay for the EA will be implemented for the pay day of 4 March 2021. If members encounter any difficulties with accessing back-pay please contact AMAACT Manager, Workplace Relations and General Practice, Tony Chase on industrial@ama-act.com.au
ACT public hospital doctors who were employed under the previous EA by ACT Health (CHS) and who have since left the ACT at any time after 1 October 2017, will be eligible for back-pay. Eligible doctors should HRSharedServices@act.gov.au to obtain back-payments.
Headline Changes for the 2017-21 Agreement
AMA ACT has achieved a major reform on behalf of the Territory’s Junior Medical Officers. JMOs will receive a significant improvement in the allowance to support their continuing medical education:
$4,120 per annum for SRMO 2, SRMO 3, Registrar 1-4 and Senior Registrars;
$3,000 per annum for RMO1, SRMO1 and Junior Registrar, and
$1,040 per annum for Interns.
The new allowances will be paid fortnightly as part of salary and there will be no need for any formal application. The allowance will be available pro-rata to part-time employees. Calvary JMO staff are included. The allowance will commence from 7 January 2021. Allowance rates will be adjusted in line with ACT Treasury annual CPI projections.
AMA ACT has also actively supported a number of reforms to the EA including the introduction of the new onerous hours provisions for senior medical staff. For more information on the new provisions, see the Medical Practitioners Enterprise Agreement 2017-2021 Explanatory Notes.
Looking Ahead to 2021
While the notional expiry date for the EA is 30 September 2021, formal bargaining for the 2021-2024 EA can commence as early as April 2021.
AMA ACT will continue to engage with CHS on behalf of its members as it is now clear that the case for major workplace reform in the Territory public sector is more critical than ever. AMA ACT will focus its efforts in the areas of JMO wellbeing and fatigue, associated with growing concerns around increasing workloads and inadequate staffing levels.
AMA ACT is determined to do all it can to support our members – both JMOs and senior staff – in the incredible work being done for the ACT community.