The hard reality of the payroll debacle
Published: 8 December 2010
In November the state government decided it would repair Queensland Health’s broken payroll system rather than implement a new one.
Under the government’s plan, we are told incremental improvements will occur month-by-month until an accurate and efficient system is established by June 2011. At the same time, the government plans to reconfigure the whole system to improve its performance and deliver optimal features. It says this task will take 18 months from January 2011.
This is not the solution we were looking for. Unfortunately, it does not look as if the government can deliver the solution we want – that is, fix the system immediately.
QNU officials are acutely aware of how frustrating and even devastating this proposed solution, and whole sorry saga, is for members – we share your anger.
Unfortunately, some members have directed some of their frustration during this difficult period at the QNU. They have been critical that QNU officials could not wave a magic wand and instantly have the whole thing fixed.
The point is this is not a normal industrial dispute, like the one currently occurring over nurse-to-patient ratios in New South Wales or our own previous EB campaigns. This is an information technology and process disaster, which will not be fixed by strike action or street rallies. If I thought for one minute industrial action would fix the payroll system any quicker I would recommend it.
The truth is it won’t and it might even create more confusion and delays. Very experienced people – and people independent of Queensland Health – have concluded this debacle will not be fixed overnight and recommended the above course of action.
Having said that, we have now been told the system will cost $209 million to fix – money that could have been used to increase nurse and midwife numbers, or treat more patients. While the government is yet to say how it will fund this cost, it has said it will not come from Queensland Health’s operational budget. The QNU will not accept any cuts to or restrictions on Queensland Health’s clinical budgets. Nurses, midwives and patients must not suffer any more than they already have.
For now, though, you can rest assured your Union has been working overtime on this whole issue and we are watching developments closely. We are doing all we can to assist and support you during this unprecedented crisis. From you, I ask that you practise safely and, when necessary, adjust your workload in accordance with your professional judgement.
While an immediate fix to the payroll system has not been possible, we have still been a powerful force in bringing issues to a head. Our staff are small in numbers compared to the government, and yet we still took the reins when Queensland Health failed in meeting its responsibilities. We negotiated outcomes for all staff such as no financial disadvantage and immediate cash or cheque payments, we communicated the issues to staff when Queensland Health couldn’t, and we problem-solved when Queensland Health wouldn’t.
Since the first pay period in March 2010 we have been unwavering in our commitment to promote and defend your interests.
We too have lost all trust in the payroll system and it will take the government a very long time to gain that back. Its greatest and most important asset, its people, has been let down.
Finally, let me reassure you the QNU’s priority still remains ensuring your individual pay issues are addressed. This is the core business of our Union and our efforts will continue as the government attempts to fix the payroll system. If you experience pay problems that cannot be resolved at the local level please contact the QNU and you will receive the attention and assistance you require.
I thank you for your support and unity during this difficult time. We know that many nurses and midwives provided financial, material and moral support to their colleagues over the last nine months of this disaster.
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