Public hospital wage increase from 1 October - What does this mean for DiTs?
The final wage increases AMA Victoria achieved through its 2008 enterprise bargaining (EB) round for Doctors-in-Training (DiTs) can be viewed on page 24 in the October issue of vicdoc. There is a table outlining the new Weekly Rates for DiTs. The rates in this table remain unchanged until the conclusion of the next EB campaign.
When members anniversary date experience increments are taken into account, (an entitlement AMA Victoria successfully fought to keep in place during the last EB round), there have been three pay increases in the past 12 months. For DiTs, that represents (depending on classification) around a 11.5 pay increase in the context of the public sector average delivering around 3 percent per annum.
With member support, AMA Victoria begins the next enterprise bargaining campaign mid 2012. We need DiT input to continue to enhance wages, conditions and the interest of patients. Look out for on site AMA Victoria meetings where we will be consulting about potential claims.
For further information or to find out how you can help the next EB campaign, contact the Workplace & Advocacy Unit on 03 9280 8722.
Read the new pay rates on page 24 of the October vicdoc out now.
Wage increases and the Wage Calculator
For DiTs the Wage Calculator is soon to be updated to reflect the recent pay increases. Changes are still being made to the calculator; these will be up and running as soon as possible. Please contact the Workplace & Advocacy Unit on 03 9280 8722 if you have any questions in the mean time. Log in to the Wage Calculator now to discover this useful tool. |
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AMA Federal Council of Doctors-in-Training
The next meeting of the AMA CDT will be held at AMA House in Canberra on October 14-15. Issues on the agenda for this meeting include safe working hours, increasing vocational training places, simulated learning, and accreditation of vocational training places. If you want to have your voice heard on these or any other issues facing DiTs in Victoria, please contact your AMA CDT representative, Dr Sam Merriel at samuel.merriel@southernhealth.org.au
Visit the Doctors-in-Training section of AMA Federal’s website here for more information on the AMA CDT and other current issues.
AMA launches HMO Classification test case
Since October 2010 to present AMA Victoria has actively communicated information to members to assist them to ensure they are correctly classified in 2011. This is because we have been conscious that 1 February 2011 classification "translation" under the AMA DIT Agreement 2008-2012 would, in some cases, cause hospitals to get classifications wrong. We have also been in negotiation with hospitals' peak industrial representative (VHIA) in an attempt to head off disputation. More information can be found here.
Unfortunately, some hospitals have failed to respond to AMA Victoria’s correspondence, written under member instruction, stating they had been wrongly classified as HMO-3 when they are PGY-4 DiTs. To AMA Victoria, PGY-4 as HMO-3 is obviously inconsistent with the AMA Agreement definition clause 10.15: "HMO means a doctor with three or less years of experience" . Read the DiT Agreement here. Download diagrams on classification progression for HMOs and registrars.
Members have instructed prosecution of four different hospitals to form the one test case in an attempt to resolve the problem across Victoria. AMA Victoria will keep members updated on this dispute as it makes it way, as we anticipate, to Federal Workplace Tribunal arbitration.
If you wish to join this dispute or have a classification concern, contact the Workplace & Advocacy Unit on 03 9280 8722.
AMA prosecuting Alfred Health
A trial hearing in the Federal Workplace Tribunal against Alfred Health begins on Monday 17 October. The dispute is about protecting DiT rotation entitlements anywhere they go in Victoria. This action is also about stopping Alfred Health from preventing its Mildura rotation DiTs from accessing salary packaging.
In a separate matter, on 3 October conciliation hearings began in the Federal Workplace Tribunal. This dispute is about Alfred Health disregarding the Resident Society’s unanimously passed resolution raising concerns about the non payment of unrostered overtime (along with breach of training time, rostering, and higher duties). We are testing Alfred Health's unrostered overtime policy against obligations under the AMA Victoria DiT Agreement.
AMA Victoria understands the agreement to require the following principles to be met:
- No in advance approval (in most real world circumstances).
- No requirement to get an authorisation signature after the work is performed.
- Rosters must show the true facts of your day to day workload (making unrostered overtime a marginal issue because the time rostered is auto paid).
Refugee health education program: get involved (repeat briefing session by popular demand!)
Dr Linny Kimly Phuong, DiT Subdivision Education & Professional Development Officer, has been managing a refugee health education program. This program currently targets refugee groups serviced by the Ecumenical Migration Centre at the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre. The program is entirely voluntary and aims to deliver culturally appropriate and interactive health information sessions to refugee groups under the guidance of junior doctors and bilingual community leaders.
The project aims to empower migrant and refugee groups to take greater responsibility for their own health, ask questions around health issues and feel more comfortable when seeing western society doctors. A successful pilot session has been run with the Ethiopian Community Group This session centred on discussions around general nutrition. There are many more groups awaiting input from junior doctors including the Ogaden and Oromo Women and the South Eastern Region Migrant Resource Centre.
Interested in getting involved? If you weren't able to attend the first briefing session last month please attend our repeat briefing session on Wednesday 12 October, 6pm (before the DiT Subdivision meeting) at AMA House, 293 Royal Parade, Parkville to register your interest and find out more!
Women in Medicine
Help us raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation by taking part in this special evening! You are invited to join us for an inspiring evening with guest speakers from the medical practice.
This is a great opportunity to network with friends and colleagues while you enjoy some light refreshments.
Reserve your place now for what promises to be a truly inspiring evening.
Date: Thursday 10 November
Venue: Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Meeting Rooms 2 & 3
Level 2, 2 Clarendon Street
South Wharf
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start.
Cost:
AMA Victoria member: $40
Non-member/spouse: $60
(All proceeds from ticket sales will be going to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation).
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.trybooking.com/15429 or by calling 03 9280 8722
Ticket sales are now open! Secure your place now. More information can be found on the website.
Junior Doctor Ethics Workshop
A unique workshop which Doctors-in-Training shouldn't miss out on!
The AMA Victoria DiT subdivision is proud to present this informative and interactive workshop to help junior doctors deal with challenging ethical situations.
Junior doctors including registrars, residents and interns as well as final-year medical students should attend!
The workshop panel will include Dr Ros McDougall, an ethicist specialising in ethical issues involving junior doctors as well as a diverse range of practicing doctors to give you practical and useful advice!
Date: Monday 21 November
Venue: AMA Victoria 293 Royal Parade Parkville
Time: 6.30pm - registration & refreshments.
7pm – 9pm – workshop
RSVP by COB Thursday 17 November to reception@amavic.com.au
Free for AMA members (including if signed up for AMA Victoria 2012 membership upon registration)
Global Heath Seminar
This event will present a number of academic mini-lectures, with the aim of keeping you up-to-date with new developments in global health.
Topics will include:
- Innovative funding mechanisms in Global health – the answer we’ve been looking for?
- Non-communicable diseases and Global Health – an ever-increasing burden with unique challenges
After the lectures, there will be a panel discussion, giving you the chance to discuss the ideas generated.
Speakers includes Dr Kate Taylor, Visiting Fellow, Nossal Institute for Global Health, and Ormond College, the University of Melbourne and Professor Rob Moodie, Nossal Institute for Global Health (with a third speaker to be confirmed soon!).
Date: Monday 7th November
Time: 6.30 registration refreshments for a 7pm start
Venue: AMA Victoria, 293 Royal Parade, Parkville
Cost: Free for AMA Victoria members, $50 for non members.
RSVP by COB Thursday 3 November to reception@amavic.com.au
Next DiT subdivision meeting
This month's Doctors-in-Training subdivision meeting will be held on Wednesday 12 October from 7pm at AMA House, 293 Royal Parade, Parkville.
AMA Victoria Vice-President, Dr Stephen Parnis, will be in attendance listen to any of your concerns as well as answer any questions about the upcoming EBA negotiations. Come along to catch up with your fellow DiTs and enjoy the free food and drinks provided.
The meeting agenda can be downloaded here.
Please RSVP to David Kelly at davidk@amavic.com.au or by calling 03 9280 8722.
Upcoming events and meetings
Thursday 27 October: Ballarat Member Forum
Monday 7 November: Global Health Seminar
Thursday 10 November: Women in Medicine
Wednesday 16 November: Finance Forum
Monday 21 November: Junior Doctor Ethics Workshop
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