Allamanda Private Hospital and 16 other named hospitals v Queensland Nurses’ Union of Employees & Ors [2000] QIRC 97 (2000) 165 QGIG 158

10 November, 2000 QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE 229 ########################################################################################################################### QUEENSLAND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION Industrial Relations Act 1999 – s. 125 – application for amendment Allamanda Private Hospital and 16 other named hospitals AND Queensland Nurses’ Union of Employees and Others (No. B424 of 2000) PRIVATE HOSPITAL NURSES’ AWARD – STATE VICE PRESIDENT LINNANE 11 October 2000 COMMISSIONERS BLOOMFIELD AND SWAN AMENDMENT This matter coming on for hearing before the Commission at Brisbane on 17 August 2000, this Commission doth order, by consent, that the said Award be amended as follows as from the twenty-eighth day of July, 2000:– 1. In 1. Arrangement of Award – (a) by deleting from Part 3 “Definitions, Wages and Allowances” the section headed “Wages” and inserting the following in lieu thereof:– “Wages .....................................................................................................................................................................3.3 Minimum Weekly Rates ..................................................................................................................................3.3.1 Total Minimum Industry Rates........................................................................................................................3.3.2(a) Safety Net Adjustment .....................................................................................................................................3.3.2(b) Grades .............................................................................................................................................................3.3.2(c) Accelerated Advancement ...............................................................................................................................3.3.3 Registered Nurse...............................................................................................................................................3.3.3(a) Enrolled Nurse...................................................................................................................................................3.3.3(b) Part-Time Employees .......................................................................................................................................3.3.4 Casual Employees.............................................................................................................................................3.3.5 No Reduction in Total Pay – Assistant Nurses ..............................................................................................3.3.6 Experience to count ..........................................................................................................................................3.3.7”; (b) by deleting from Part 4 (Hours of Work, Overtime) the last line which reads as follows:– “38 hour week – Health Care of Australia Group .................................................................................................4.6”; and (c) by deleting the section headed “Schedules” and inserting the following in lieu thereof:– “Schedules Schedule A – (deleted) Schedule B – List of Members of PHAQ and Grading of Registered Nurses Level 5 Schedule C – (deleted) Schedule D – 38 Hour Week Arrangements – Particular Hospitals Schedule E – Generic Level Statements -- 1 of 6 -- 230 QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE 10 November, 2000 Schedule F – Enrolled Nurse Progression and Appeal.”. 2. By adding to clause 1.5 (Intent of Parties) the following new paragraphs:– “In keeping with the above intent – (a) Employees and employers covered by this Award are committed to the highest quality of care and service. (b) Guided by the standards of the Australian Council on Health Care Standards, and those of other accepted accrediting bodies, service delivery at individual facilities will be constantly reviewed by those facilities to achieve best practice in provision of patient care. (c) The employees and the employers commit to achievement of best practice in all aspects of the operations of their business. They are committed to pursuing continuous improvement in the quality of care and service provided to internal and external customers. (d) The parties commit to developing and implementing strategies that are designed to recognise and achieve productivity improvements at the workplace and enhance job satisfaction, security and remuneration while aiming to provide the highest quality of care and service. (e) The purpose of this clause is to achieve a stable industrial relations framework at the enterprise level in order to assist the relevant hospitals to improve their productivity, efficiency, quality of services and business performance. (f) The parties are committed to continually improving communication and co-operation at the workplace level between management and staff. The important contribution of the hospitals’ employees in ensuring the hospitals’ future is recognised. (g) The parties are committed to positively identifying and implementing measures to improve productivity and efficiency at the enterprise level during the life of this clause and clause 3.3.2(a). (h) The parties will not introduce measures aimed at negative cost cutting. (i) Undertakings – In return for the benefits obtained under this clause and clause 3.3.2(a) the Union, its officers, employees and members undertake to take all practical steps to ensure that during the life of this clause and clause 3.3.2(a), at the enterprise level, there are no interruptions by industrial action of any kind; and The hospitals respondent to this Award will in return ensure the observance of good industrial relations practices which includes the observance of appropriate Industrial Acts and this Award.”. 3. By deleting clause 3.3.2 and inserting the following in lieu thereof:– “3.3.2 (a) Total Minimum Industry Rates – The rates payable to employees shall be:– Classification and Grade/Paypoint As from 28 July 2000 Per week $ As from 1 September 2000 Per week $ Registered Nurse Level 1 Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 537.90 563.90 589.90 615.90 641.90 667.90 694.00 719.90 552.90 578.90 604.90 630.90 656.90 682.90 709.00 734.90 Registered Nurse Level 2 Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 745.90 763.30 780.60 798.00 760.90 778.30 795.60 813.00 Registered Nurse Level 3 Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 830.40 850.00 869.40 889.00 845.40 865.00 884.40 904.00 Registered Nurse Level 4 Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade3 Provided that the grading of Registered Nurse Level 4 shall be determined as prescribed by clause 3.3.2(c) of this Award 993.00 1,068.70 1,144.60 1,008.00 1,083.70 1,159.60 -- 2 of 6 -- 10 November, 2000 QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE 231 Classification and Grade/Paypoint As from 28 July 2000 Per week $ As from 1 September 2000 Per week $ Registered Nurse Level 5 Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 The grading of Registered Nurse Level 5 in a facility shall be as set-out in Schedule B (List of Members of PHAQ and Grading of Registered Nurses Level 5) of this Award 993.00 1,057.90 1,144.60 1,231.40 1,383.10 1,534.80 1,008.00 1,072.90 1,159.60 1,246.40 1,398.10 1,549.80 Enrolled Nurse Paypoint 1 Paypoint 2 Paypoint 3 Paypoint 4 Paypoint 5 Provided that an employee under the age of 21 years shall be paid:– At Paypoint 1 76% of Paypoint 1 At Paypoint 2 79% of Paypoint 2 At Paypoint 3 84% of Paypoint 3 Provided further that payment and progression of Enrolled Nurses of any age through each of the Enrolled Nurse Paypoints shall be according to the definitions in clause 3.1.3 of this Award and processes contained in Schedule F (Enrolled Nurse Progression and Appeal) of this Award 491.10 501.50 511.80 522.30 532.60 373.20 396.20 429.90 506.10 516.50 526.80 537.30 547.60 384.60 408.00 442.50 Assistant Nurse Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Provided that the minimum rate at age 21 years shall not be less than:– Provided that the above wage rates for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade Assistant Nurses are junior rates of pay and any increase to these rates will be calculated in accordance with the following formula:– Old Junior Rate X New 21 Year Old Rate Old 21 year old rate 1 Provided further that employers who paid wage rates, prior to 1 September 1999, for Assistant Nurses 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grades equivalent to those gazetted in (1999) 161 QGIG 594-595 rather than the rates specified in the Correction of Error gazetted (2000) 163 QGIG 447-448 shall not be deemed liable for the inconsistency in accordance with the outcome of B1461/99. This proviso shall cease to operate as of 31 August 2005. 316.10 343.90 371.30 427.20 448.60 411.00 327.60 356.50 384.90 442.20 463.60 426.00 Pupil Nurse Under 21 years At 21 years and over Provided that where an Assistant Nurse is accepted by the employer for training as a Pupil Nurse the employee shall be paid not less than the rate the employee would have received had the employee continued in employment as an Assistant Nurse. 354.30 472.10 365.60 487.10 (b) Safety Net Adjustment The rates of pay operative from 28 July 2000 are inserted by consent of the parties pursuant to s. 129 of the Industrial Relations Act 1999 as a consequence of proceedings in case number B424 of 2000. These rates reflect industry standards. The rates of pay operative from 1 September 2000 are intended to include the arbitrated wage adjustment payable under the 1 September 2000 Declaration of General Ruling and earlier Safety Net Adjustments. [Disputed cases are to be referred to the President.] This arbitrated wage adjustment may be offset against any equivalent amount in rates of pay received by employees whose wages and conditions of employment are -- 3 of 6 -- 232 QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE 10 November, 2000 regulated by this award which are above the wage rates prescribed in the award. Such payments include wages payable pursuant to certified agreements, currently operating enterprise flexibility agreements, Queensland workplace agreements, award variations to give effect to enterprise agreements and overaward arrangements. Absorption which is contrary to the terms of an agreement is not required. Increases made under previous State Wage Cases or under the current Statement of Principles, excepting those resulting from enterprise agreements, are not to be used to offset arbitrated wage adjustments. (c) Grades – “Grade” shall mean – (i) in relation to employees who are not Registered Nurses Level 4, a year of continuous nursing service in the classification to which the employee has been appointed. (ii) Registered Nurse Level 4 – There shall be three grades of Registered Nurse Level 4. The grading of a Registered Nurse Level 4 shall be determined as follows:– – Registered Nurse Level 4 who reports to a Registered Nurse Level 5 Grade 1 or 2, shall be graded as a Registered Nurse Level 4 Grade 1 and paid as such. – A Registered Nurse Level 4 who reports to a Registered Nurse Level 5 Grade 3 or 4, shall be graded as a Registered Nurse Level 4 Grade 2 and paid as such. – A Registered Nurse Level 4 who reports to a Registered Nurse Level 5 Grade 5 or 6 shall be graded as a Registered Nurse Level 4 Grade 3 and paid as such. (iii) Registered Nurse Level 5 – There shall be six grades of Registered Nurse Level 5. The gradings of Registered Nurse Level 5 in a facility shall be as set out in Schedule “B” hereto.”. 4. By deleting clause 4.6 (38 Hour week – Health Care of Australia Group). 5. By deleting Schedule A (Abbreviated Statement of Intent). 6. By deleting Schedule B (List of Members of PHAQ and Grading of Registered Nurses Level 5) and inserting the following in lieu thereof:– “SCHEDULE B List of Members of PHAQ and Grading of Registered Nurses Level 5 PHAQ Members Grading of RN Level 5 Allamanda Private Hospital ............................................................................................................................................ 4 The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital ............................................................................................................................. 3 Cairns Surgical Centre .................................................................................................................................................... 1 Calvary Private Hospital................................................................................................................................................. 3 Clifton Co-Operative Hospital........................................................................................................................................ 2 Cooloola Community Private Hospital........................................................................................................................... 2 Crows Nest & District Co-Operative Hospital............................................................................................................... 2 Eye-Tech Day Surgeries ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Friendly Society Private Hospital................................................................................................................................... 3 Greenslopes Private Hospital.......................................................................................................................................... 5 Haematology & Oncology Clinics of Australasia .......................................................................................................... 3 Holy Spirit Hospital ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Killarney & District Memorial Hospital......................................................................................................................... 2 Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Bundaberg ..................................................................................................................... 2 Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Gladstone....................................................................................................................... 2 Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Mackay .......................................................................................................................... 4 Mater Misericordiae Private Hospital, Redlands............................................................................................................ 2 Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Rockhampton ................................................................................................................ 3 Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Townsville..................................................................................................................... 4 Mater Misericordiae Private Hospital, South Brisbane.................................................................................................. 4 Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Yeppoon ........................................................................................................................ 2 New Farm Clinic............................................................................................................................................................. 3 North Queensland Day Surgical Centre ......................................................................................................................... 2 Palm Beach Currumbin Private Hospital........................................................................................................................ 2 Peninsula Private Hospital .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Pindara Private Hospital ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Pioneer Valley Private Hospital...................................................................................................................................... 2 Pittsworth & District Hospital ........................................................................................................................................ 2 QFG Day Theatres .......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Queensland Eye Centre Pty Ltd...................................................................................................................................... 2 Riverview Private Hospital............................................................................................................................................. 2 St. Andrew's War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane ............................................................................................................ 4 St Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital ................................................................................................................................. 3 St Aubyn's Hospital, Kingaroy ....................................................................................................................................... 2 St Stephen's Private Hospital, Maryborough.................................................................................................................. 3 St Vincent's Hospital, Toowoomba ................................................................................................................................ 4 St Vincent’s Hospital and Health Service, Robina......................................................................................................... 3 Sunshine Coast Day Surgery .......................................................................................................................................... 2 -- 4 of 6 -- 10 November, 2000 QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE 233 PHAQ Members Grading of RN Level 5 The Wesley Park Haven Hospital................................................................................................................................... 2 The Wesley Private Hospital, Auchenflower ................................................................................................................. 5 The Wesley Turrawan Private Hospital.......................................................................................................................... 2 Toowong Private Hospital .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Toowoomba Surgicentre Pty Ltd.................................................................................................................................... 2”. 7. By deleting Schedule C (Miscellaneous Provisions Preserved). 8. In Schedule D (38 Hour Week Arrangements – Particular Hospitals) – (a) by deleting the following hospital names from where they appear in clause 1:– “Andrea Ahern Private Hospital Arthur Cooper Private Hospital North West Private Hospital St Andrews Private Hospital Yeppoon Selangor Private Hospital The Wesley Private Hospital, Toowoomba”; (b) by deleting the following words from where they appear in provision (c) of subclause (1) of clause 3 (Hours of Work):– “Selangor (night shift only)”; (c) by deleting the following words from where they appear in provision (d) of subclause (1) of clause 3 (Hours of Work):– “St Andrews Yeppoon (excepting night staff) North West (if the provisions of 3(1)(a) and (b) above do not apply)”; and (d) by deleting the following hospitals and numbers from where they appear in subclause (2) of clause 3 (Hours of Work):– “Selangor Private Hospital....................................................................................................................... 5 North West Private Hospital.................................................................................................................... 5 Arthur Cooper ........................................................................................................................................... 0 St Andrews Yeppoon ............................................................................................................................... 0 The Wesley Private Hospital Toowoomba............................................................................................. 0 Andrea Ahern Private Hospital ............................................................................................................... 0”. 9. By adding a new Schedule F as follows:– “SCHEDULE F Enrolled Nurse Progression and Appeal 1. Enrolled Nurse Progression and Appeal (1) Paypoint Determination and Progression (a) The Paypoint for each Enrolled Nurse is to be determined by the employer by reference to the Enrolled Nurse’s skills and knowledge compared to those set out in the Paypoint definitions in clause 3.1.3(d) - (h) inclusive of this Award. (b) Each Enrolled Nurse shall also identify their appropriate Paypoint through self assessment of their own skills and knowledge by reference to the Paypoint definitions. (c) Where there is a difference in Paypoint assessment arising out of (a) and (b) above, an Enrolled Nurse may elect to process the matter through the mechanism in subclause (2) (Appeal and Review) below, having first endeavoured to resolve the matter through discussions with the employer. (d) Subject to the terms specified for each Paypoint as defined in clause 3.1.3 of this Award, each employee shall progress from one Paypoint to the next on the employee’s completion of a continuous year of service as an Enrolled Nurse, having regard to the acquisition and utilisation of skills and knowledge through experience in the employee’s practice setting/s over such period: Provided that an employee’s progression may be deferred or refused by the employer, provided further that any such deferral or refusal is referable only to the terms specified for each Paypoint in clause 3.1.3 herein, and is not unreasonably nor arbitrarily imposed by the employer. It shall be considered unreasonable if the employer has refused to provide in-service training and/or opportunities to work in various practice settings in the employer’s establishment. (2) Appeal and Review (a) Where an employee believes on reasonable grounds that circumstances have changed since that employee’s last progression review, that employee may request the employer for a paypoint review such request shall be in writing, and there shall be a review outcome within 60 days. If the review results in a recommendation for movement to the next paypoint, such movement shall be operative from the date of review request. (b) An employee may appeal, and if so shall appeal in writing, an employer’s determination, deferral or refusal or a review outcome in regard to paypoint progression. There shall be an appeal outcome within 60 days. (c) An appeal or review for the purposes of this subclause, shall be undertaken and resolved in accordance with clause 2.4 of this Award, provided that Stage 3 of the Grievance and Dispute Settlement Procedure shall proceed according to the process outlined in clause 1(3) of this Schedule. -- 5 of 6 -- 234 QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL GAZETTE 10 November, 2000 (3) RPL Process Should the appeal not be resolved upon completion of stage 2 of the Grievance and Dispute Settlement Procedure, the Director of Nursing or equivalent shall as part of stage 3 of that procedure implement the following Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process:– (a) RPL Objective Equitable assessment through ensuring currency, relevance and transferability of knowledge/skills by an RPL Panel. (b) Composition of RPL Panel The Director of Nursing shall convene the RPL Panel as follows:– (i) Applicant (ii) Applicant’s representative (QNU, LCG or other) if desired by applicant (iii) Director of Nursing (or nominee) (iv) A Nurse Expert (from a list agreed by PHAQ and QNU) (v) RPL Assessor (from a list agreed by PHAQ and QNU). (c) Role of the Assessor (i) Assists and counsels the Applicant in completion of the application form and gathering of relevant information. (ii) Ensures fair process of the review. (iii) Facilitates/chairs the panel process. (d) Role of RPL Panel In accordance with the RPL process:– (i) Develops a Competency Assessment Tool with the Applicant for the particular circumstances of the Applicant relevant to the paypoint sought. (ii) Oversees the RPL Process. (iii) Makes recommendations to the employer. (e) Role of Nurse Expert In addition to assisting to develop the Assessment Tool, advise the Panel if the applicant in undertaking assessment has demonstrated skills and/or knowledge relevant to the Assessment Tool. (4) Where as a result of subclause (2)(b) above, there is a revocation of the employer’s decision, Paypoint Progression shall be deemed to operate and be payable from the date for such progression in accordance with subclause (1)(d) above. 2. Recognition of training, experience and skill All relevant training, experience and skills as an Enrolled Nurse, other than such experience pre-dating any break of three or more consecutive years, shall be counted for the purposes of:– (1) finalising translations of all employees employed at 20 December 1993 by reference to the requirements at each of the Paypoint definitions; and (2) determining the appropriate Paypoint for appointment of employees appointed thereafter; and (3) determining the appropriate Paypoint for progression of all Enrolled Nurses.”. Dated this eleventh day of October, 2000. By the Commission, Operative Date: 28 July 2000 [L.S.] E. EWARD, Amendment – Wages and Conditions Industrial Registrar. Released: 1 November 2000 -- 6 of 6 --