Public hospital doctors close in on new pay deal headlined by 11.5 per pay rise, overhaul of overtime system

Public hospital clinicians are expected to greenlight a new pay deal that significantly bolsters conditions for junior doctors, including far easier access to overtime and capping shifts at a maximum of 14 hours. The offer is headlined by an 11.5 per cent pay increase over three years, which is marginally lower than agreements inked earlier this year with school teachers (12 per cent) and Transperth transit officers (12.5 per cent). In July, the Australian Medical Association rejected WA Heath’s first offer of a 7.75 per cent salary hike over two years on the basis it was “not sufficiently competitive”. Presenting the second offer to members this month, AMA (WA) president Michael Page said the new deal was a “significant and positive step forward”. “We feel the offer is sufficiently meritorious to warrant a vote of the membership and provide our qualified endorsement of the offer,” Dr Page said. The proposed deal includes wage rises of 4.75 per cent in September 2024, 3.75 per cent in September 2025 and 3 per cent in September 2026. Overtime – previously paid only once a doctor exceeded 40 hours for the week – will instead be accrued on a shift-by-shift basis whenever a clinician works more than 10 hours. Shifts will be capped at 14 hours and doctors will be guaranteed at least 24 hours off after a night shift. Junior doctors will receive a $4000 professional development allowance annually – including when on parental leave – while all clinicians will be eligible to accrue up to nine weeks of leave (previously six) that can be used to further their training. Long-service leave will become accessible on a pro-rata basis after seven years and doctors working shortened public holiday shifts will be paid for a full shift. The AMA plans to begin balloting its members over the deal on Friday, with the vote closing on September 6. The union is currently holding a series of on-site information sessions at hospitals around the State to explain the offer. Union lawyer Kevin Sneddon – who has helped thrash out the agreement – said the agreement contained significant wins for junior doctors, whose pays and conditions had fallen far below their contemporaries in the eastern states. “It still falls short in some areas but overall, we feel it is a good offer and it is certainly worth consideration by members of the association,” Mr Sneddon said. The offer – if accepted – falls well short of the 12 per cent over two years that is being demanded by an alliance of other public sector unions. Those unions represent a wide range of roles including police officers, enrolled nurses, allied health professionals, education assistants, child protection workers and administrative staff.