Labour Court recommends union accept hospital proposal in Chef 2 dispute

The Labour Court recommended that the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union accept South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital’s proposal to resolve a claim by three staff seeking placement in Band 3 after covering Chef 2 duties. The Court said a range of staff covered the Chef 2 position under a 2003 agreement and received an allowance, but were not temporarily appointed to fill a vacant higher-grade post. It found the three claimants provided less than half of all cover, and selecting them for an upgrade would amend the agreement. The recommendation was signed on 24 June 2019. The union had argued the three staff had been told they could not apply because they lacked the required qualifications; the Hospital said promotions were based on merit rather than seniority.