Junior doctors take unpaid overtime fight to court
Junior doctors started historical legal proceedings to do unpaid overtime when they went to the heart of justice and security.
The class action against the Tasmanian government has been open to any young doctor working in the Royal Hobart Hospital and Launceston General Hospital since 2019.
The case follows a similar action in the Law, Victoria and NSW – the second resulted in a solution of $ 230 million.
It is the first wage-unit class action in Tasmania and demands “reimbursement for over-year-old overtime”.
Emily Mackrill, the chief plaintiff, who is currently working as a general general practitioner, claims that he has not been paid sufficiently for a two -year period at Launceston General Hospital.
An independent study in 2024 showed that approximately half of Tasmania’s doctors had a negative impact on the welfare of the unpaid overtime work.
Australian Medical Association Tasmania President Michael Lumsden-Steel, young doctors to prove that the devotion for a long time to prove long hours to work, he said.
“It emphasizes a problem that goes to the heart of the old and dangerous culture of respect in our legal proceedings, justice, security and health system through unpaid overtime.” He said.
“Patients need to know that doctors who look at them are appropriately paid, supported and respected in their work.”
Former Launceston General Hospital Doctor Eibhlinn Cassidy said that the class action is not about making extra money.
Dr Cassidy, “Many of us, to ensure that our patients to look at usually we have worked for free hours late in the night.” He said.
“It is not sustainable for hospitals refuse to accept these long hours, and is not safe for doctors or patients.”
Lawyer Hayden Stephens, who represented the young doctors of Tasmanya and does the same in other judicial fields, said that it was when governments recognized the problem.
“I interviewed the hospital management that refused to work with hundreds of doctors throughout the country. Launceston General Hospital is the worst thing I have heard.” He said.
The minister called on the government government to resolve the action early to avoid long -term cases.
A spokesman said the state health department has accepted the hard work of health professionals and committed to paying all valid rights to which he owes.
