Following a survey, public sector members under the Core agreement have endorsed a Together strategy to tackle COVID-19 in their workplaces in 2022. The survey showed that the majority of members support the following: A consistent approach across the public service. Supporting respectful conversations and mental health support in workplaces. Regular consultation meetings with Together members and management. Union members decide the union position on disclosure of vaccination status. Union members decide the union position on mandatory vaccination. It also showed that the overwhelming majority of Together members surveyed are vaccinated, and support vaccination mandates in their workplaces. You can learn more about Together's strategy to tackle COVID-19 in our workplaces here. Together members' experience has been that the more measured and timely consultation processes used in Queensland Health and the Queensland Police Service have been better processes than the rushed exercises in schools and corrections following the CHO mandates for those areas. That is why Together is suggesting a consistent approach across the remaining government departments in relation to the collection of data on current vaccination rates and to decisions about possible mandating of vaccinations in other parts of the public service. Vaccinations will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have demanded regular and meaningful consultation on all responses to the pandemic not just on the issue of mandating vaccinations. Irrespective of the decision about mandating or otherwise, our employers need to improve the consultation and communication with members about other measures that will need to be considered in 2022 depending on how far and fast the virus spreads in Queensland. We have also sought consistent and fair process for staff who are unable to vaccinated and Together will continue to protect the industrial rights of individual members at each stage of this process. To join public sector workers in speaking up for a fair, safe, and well-planned COVID-19 response for 2022, become a Together member today.
On Tuesday 7th December, Together representatives attended the Central Consultative Forum for public sector workers covered by the Core agreement, to propose a fair, consistent and well-organised approach to vaccination mandates across the public sector. Branch Secretary Alex Scott addressed key figures from Government about Together's view of the current circumstances in the public sector, and the challenges ahead in 2022. With some CHO mandates in place, and the potential for others to come, it's vital for all public sector employers to be planning their approach to vaccination requirements, to avoid a rushed and haphazard implementation. The implementation of the most recent CHO mandate in Schools and Corrections has shown how badly things can go wrong when employers have to scramble to ensure their workforce is vaccinated. Together representatives cautioned Departments against hesitating to make decisions about vaccination requirements because of a vocal minority who are vehemently opposed, and advocated for employers to ask staff to voluntarily disclose their vaccination status, to aid in assessing vaccination rates in the workforce. Finally, Together representatives proposed a consultation timeframe for public sector employers not covered by a CHO vaccination mandate, and committed to write to Directors-General with further details. You can view Together's proposed consultation timeframe here. To stand with your colleagues demanding timely and meaningful consultation on vaccination mandates, join your union today.
This Monday 13th December, following discussion at Together's branch conference, and the Central Consultative Forum for public sector workers covered by the Core agreement, Branch Secretary Alex Scott wrote to the Directors-General of most government departments seeking their commitment to timely and meaningful consultation with Together members about their plans for how to respond to the pandemic in 2022. We have seen the CHO mandate vaccinations in schools and corrections and employer mandates in Queensland Health and Queensland Police. We know that many other departments and agencies are at different stages of considering whether to introduce employer mandates for vaccinations for their staff. Following the survey of members last week, we know that the overwhelming majority of Together members are vaccinated and the majority of Together members support vaccination mandates in their workplaces. Our experience has been that the more measured and timely consultation processes used in Queensland Health and the Queensland Police Service have been better processes than the rushed exercises in Schools and Corrections following the CHO mandates for those areas. That is why Together is suggesting a consistent approach across the remaining government departments in relation to the collection of data on current vaccination rates and to decisions about possible mandating of vaccinations in other parts of the public service. Vaccinations will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have demanded regular and meaningful consultation on all responses to the pandemic not just on the issue of mandating vaccinations. Irrespective of the decision about mandating or otherwise, our employers need to improve the consultation and communication with members about other measures that will need to be considered in 2022 depending on how far and fast the virus spreads in Queensland. We have also sought consistent and fair process for staff who are unable to vaccinated and your union will continue to protect the industrial rights of individual members at each stage of this process. View Together's full proposal for a fair, safe, and well-organised approach to COVID-19 workplace health and safety in 2022.
Together's Branch Conference met on Monday 29th November, to review all members accomplished in 2021, and set the agenda for 2022. A key focus for public sector delegates was how to respond to COVID-19, vaccination mandates, and safety in the workplace. Branch Secretary Alex Scott spoke to delegates about the current circumstances in the public sector, and the challenges ahead in 2022. With some CHO mandates in place, and the potential for others to come, it's vital for all public sector employers to be planning their approach to vaccination requirements, to avoid a rushed and haphazard implementation. However, because of a vocal minority who are vehemently opposed to vaccination, Departments are hesitant to make decisions about vaccination requirements for their workforce - despite significant support from employees. Union members therefore have an opportunity to be a strong and decisive voice on this issue. Delegates reported that members strongly supported employers asking staff to voluntarily disclose their vaccination status, to aid employers in assessing vaccination rates in the workforce. Delegates also emphasised that COVID-19 workplace health and safety does not begin and end with vaccination mandates. They expressed their hope that workers could find a constructive and respectful way to move through the conversation around vaccines, so that energy can be devoted to other vital WHS considerations, such as social distancing, air filtration, and more. Conference delegates resolved to survey the broader membership on their support for the following: A consistent approach across the public service. Supporting respectful conversations and mental health support in workplaces. Regular consultation meetings with Together members and management. Union members decide the union position on disclosure of vaccination status. Union members decide the union position on mandatory vaccination. To have your say, become a Together member today.
