Hospital dispute grows bitter
BY STAN THOMPSON
BRISBANE — Despite early signs of a breakthrough, the hospital workers' pay dispute escalated last week, with stop-work meetings and 24-hour strikes in dozens of hospitals across the state.
Labor Premier Peter Beattie has claimed that giving in to the workers' demands would trigger a public sector pay explosion and cost Queensland up to $250 million. The claim is dismissed by Australian Workers Union state secretary Bill Ludwig, who says the workers are simply seeking to match the rises granted to other government employees, such as railway workers.
The hospital workers, represented by 12 unions, are seeking a 6.5% pay rise over two years, better shift-work conditions, parental leave, job security and more training. The government has refused to budge from its offer of 9% over three years. Ludwig has vowed that the industrial campaign will be maintained until the additional 0.25% per year pay rise is won.
Beattie has come under considerable pressure following announcements last week that his government will rebuild Lang Park, continue to underwrite the Indy 500 race on the Gold Coast and provide $400 million in backing to billionaire Richard Branson's new VirginBlue airline.
The dispute has also exposed the not-so-secret, 25-year factional animosity between Beattie and Ludwig within the ALP.