Hospital strike hits WA

Thousands of hospital support workers in Western Australia have staged a half-day strike over wages and concerns about plans to privatise hospital services.

Around 450 of the workers rallied at parliament house in Perth on Tuesday demanding the government raise its pay offer and assure them their jobs were not under threat.

The industrial action affected elective surgery at public hospitals, with several operations cancelled.

Up to 8000 cleaners, orderlies, catering staff, sterilisation technicians and other workers took part in the four-hour strike.

The WA government is offering the workers pay increases of 3.5 per cent per year over the next three years.

At Tuesday's rally an angry crowd shouted "Wake up, Colin" as they tried to get Premier Colin Barnett to come out and address them.

Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU) Secretary Dave Kelly told reporters at the rally that the government's proposal included new staff being hired on temporary and fixed-term contracts.

"Our members are here today because they want to send a message to the Barnett government that they are not happy with the pay offer that's been made to them.

"And importantly they are not happy with the Barnett government's plan to privatise services in government hospitals."

Mr Kelly said the workers were sorry to cause hospital disruptions but they had no alternative but to take industrial action.

"Our members don't get rich working in a public hospital."

Mr Kelly said the action had been restricted to four hours to minimise disruption, but further action may be taken if the government failed to take notice.

Earlier in the day, Mr Barnett told reporters the strike would not help solve the dispute, and he hoped patients would not be put at risk.

"I would hope that cool heads prevail and a negotiated agreement could be reached."

The premier said the workers were not highly paid, but that was something the government wastrying to address over time and it could not be solved overnight.

Mr Barnett has said a mix of public and private service provision had long been a feature of WA's public hospital system.

When Health Minister Kim Hames briefly addressed Tuesday's rally he was booed as he promised to have a clear policy at the next election on the issue of privatisation.

Several people in the crowd shouted, "You won't be in government next time."

Opposition Leader Eric Ripper told the protesters that justice was on their side.

"In a rich state the government can afford to give you your fair share," he said.

Source http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/hospital-strike-hits-wa-20101012-16hlh.html