Frontline Queensland Health workers are taking their fight for a fair pay rise to the Stafford by-election, launching a major campaign amid a protracted dispute that has left thousands without a wage increase despite reaching agreement in November.
Allied health professionals, scientists and clinical assistants working under the Health Practitioners and Dental Officers (HPDO) agreement negotiated an in-principle deal for a 3.5% wage increase from 1 November last year, in line with the Queensland Government's wages policy.
The matter has since been referred to arbitration in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, with no resolution expected in the near term.
Together has applied for an interim pay increase to deliver the 3.5% rise from November — but Queensland Health has indicated it must oppose the application due to wages policy settings.
Together Secretary Alex Scott said the situation highlights a failure of government policy.
"This is a system failure — workers did the right thing, reached agreement, and are now stuck in limbo because of rigid policy settings," Mr Scott said.
"This is a priority for our members and we will throw the kitchen sink at the Stafford by-election, matching major party spending on both sides of politics.
"These are highly skilled health workers who have already waited months for a pay rise that was agreed in principle. They should not be collateral damage in a broken process."
The union is calling on the Queensland Government to urgently agree to support the interim pay increase.
Together has written to the Premier and Health Minister seeking urgent meetings. With the Stafford by-election underway, the union says local candidates must commit to address the situation.
"The Stafford by-election is an opportunity for the Government to provide a clear answer to health workers," Mr Scott said. "Will they fix the policy settings and deliver the pay rise these workers have already earned, or will they continue to allow this process failure to drag on?"
The Prince Charles Hospital, a major employer of frontline health workers, is within the Stafford electorate. The campaign will roll out across the electorate in the coming weeks, including community engagement, a public forum for candidates, advertising, billboards, and a targeted ground campaign involving members speaking directly with voters at shopping centres, streets and polling booths.
While calling on voters in Stafford to send the Crisafulli government a message on 16 May, the Together campaign is expected to run for months, with the union warning of continued action until government intervenes.
