Together Queensland has called on Health Minister Tim Nicholls to urgently intervene in Mater's closure of its pathology services, as workers in around 430 positions face an uncertain Christmas and the first employment decisions loom in early December.
The union wrote to the Minister on Tuesday seeking his intervention and formally disputed Mater's consultation and redeployment process, warning that workers are being given inadequate time to explore alternatives to redundancy.
Mater announced on Monday that it would transition pathology services at its Brisbane and Springfield hospitals to external providers over approximately 18 months, affecting around 430 positions.
But for workers in the first phase, the clock is already ticking. They have until this Friday, just four days after the announcement, to express interest in retained roles, while consultation runs for just three weeks and redeployment for seven days. Employment outcomes are due to be confirmed between 1 and 4 December.
The announcement comes as the Reserve Bank lifted interest rates to 4.85 per cent, an 18-year high and the fifth increase this year.
Together Queensland Branch Secretary Alex Scott said the timing could hardly be worse for workers and their families.
"Families are already struggling with the cost of living, and this week they've been hit with another interest rate rise. For hundreds of Mater workers, that comes on top of the prospect of losing their livelihoods just weeks before Christmas," Mr Scott said.
"These are highly skilled scientists, technicians, collectors and support staff who have dedicated years, in some cases decades, to caring for Queenslanders.
"They were told on Monday their jobs were at risk, and by Friday they have to decide whether to put their hand up for one of the limited roles being retained.
"Three weeks of consultation and a seven-day redeployment window for a change affecting 430 positions is not a genuine opportunity to explore alternatives, and it leaves workers counting down to redundancy."
Most Mater Pathology services will transfer to private provider Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, with Special Chemistry moving to Pathology Queensland.
Together says Mater has not identified any arrangement for affected staff to be offered employment with Sullivan Nicolaides, despite the pathology work continuing under the new model.
"The work isn't disappearing. The same tests will still be done for the same patients, but the people who have been doing that work are facing redundancy without a clear pathway into the jobs that will continue to exist," Mr Scott said.
"Mater has said this decision is no reflection on its workers' capability, professionalism or commitment. The best way to demonstrate that is to give them a fair process and do everything possible to preserve their employment."
Together has asked Mater to immediately extend Friday's expression-of-interest deadline, reconsider the consultation and redeployment timeframes, and ensure no redundancies are finalised until redeployment opportunities have been properly considered.
It has also sought urgent discussions with Mater about employment opportunities for affected staff, including recognition of their skills, experience and prior service.
The union has formally raised the matter as a dispute under the Mater Health Professionals Enterprise Agreement 2026 and requested a substantive response from Mater by 5pm this Thursday.
Mr Scott said the Queensland Government also had a responsibility to act, given its funding of Mater's public hospital services.
"Mater Pathology's main laboratory is located in Mater Hospital Brisbane and services Mater's public hospitals," he said.
"Queenslanders fund Mater's public hospital services, and the Government has every right to ask what this decision means for public patients and the experienced workforce delivering that care.
"We are asking the Health Minister to step in now, before the first employment decisions are made in December."
In its letter to Minister Nicholls, Together has asked the Government to engage with Mater and ask that no first-phase terminations be finalised until consultation and redeployment have been properly completed. It has also asked the Minister to direct Pathology Queensland to consider offering employment to affected staff, use the Government's position as funder to help secure employment with Sullivan Nicolaides, and consider whether public patient pathology at the Mater hospitals should be delivered by Pathology Queensland rather than a private provider.
The union has also sought assurances that public patients will not face new out-of-pocket pathology costs as a result of the changes.
"Workers deserve more than a few days to make decisions that could change their lives," Mr Scott said.
"There is still time for Mater and the Government to work with us on a proper transition plan that protects jobs wherever possible.
"No one should be rushed towards redundancy weeks before Christmas when the work they do is still needed."
