Vic: Government to take health union to Federal Court

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2007
Vic: Government to take health union to Federal Court

The Victorian government will today take action in the Federal Court to stop industrial
action by thousands of health professionals across the state.

About four thousand radiographers .. physiotherapists .. radiation therapists .. speech
pathologists .. occupational therapists .. and social workers walked off the job on Monday
after a breakdown of talks with the state government over career paths.

Health Services Union secretary KATHY JACKSON says only emergency procedures will be
performed today .. and industrial action will continue indefinitely .. except for Christmas
Day when full services will be available.

Ms JACKSON'S slammed the Victorian government's continued use of the WorkChoices legislation
.. saying Premier JOHN BRUMBY is still embracing the laws.

The union will also be in conciliation talks this morning with the Victorian Hospitals
Industrial Association .. which also lodged the Federal Court application at the Australian
Industrial Relations Commission.

The Federal Court application will be heard from 10.15am (AEDT).

AAP RTV md/ce/sw/jec/

KEYWORD: HEALTH VIC (MELBOURNE)

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