18 May 2004

Union limits strike action in response to Richmond Fellowship CEO’s eleventh hour offer

“The National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) has withdrawn strike notices it issued to private mental health provider Richmond Fellowship today in response to media reports that CEO Dr Gerry Walmisley will sit down to meet union negotiators” said John Kerr, NUPE Organiser.

“A 48 hour stoppage was due to start at 7.00 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday 19 May, in support of our claims for a fair and just collective employment agreement. However, we’ve had a number of telephone calls from the media saying Dr Walmisley was prepared to meet us, something that, until now, he has refused to do point blank. We see this as a major concession and we’re hopeful Gerry will bring something constructive to the table,” said John Kerr.

“Accordingly, we’ve decided to withdraw the strike notices for all but two four hour periods; between 0700-1100 on 19 May and 1900-2300 on 20 May. We see the scaling down of the strike from a 48 hour stoppage to two four hour stoppages as a gesture of goodwill on our part,” said John Kerr.

NUPE and the Service and Food Workers’ Union has been in negotiations with Richmond Fellowship since before Christmas, claiming a base rate of $15.00 per hour for mental health workers. To date, Richmond Fellowship has made no pay offer.

ENDS

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