Wednesday, March 27, 2019

EBA approved for specialist dentists

Our goal, achieved together.

We are very pleased to announce that the 2018-2022 EBA for specialist dentists employed at Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) has been approved by the Fair Work Commission for implementation.

This follows months of frustrating negotiations that commenced in 2017. Thank you to our public sector members for your courage, patience and support during this time. Your participation through voting for agreements, voting in favour of protected action, attending meetings and getting non-members on board has brought us to this point today. It is a huge step forward in respecting public dentistry and this has been achieved together.

Who is covered by the specialist dentist EBA?

Specialist dentists employed by Dental Health Services Victoria.

When does the specialist dentist EBA become effective?

This EBA will operate from 2 April 2019. Employees can expect any back pay that is owed to them, and to move to their new pay rate, from the first pay period after 2 April 2019.

What are the employment entitlements in the new EBA?
  • A four-year agreement, which applies from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2022
  • Pay increases of six per cent per annum in the first two years and three per cent per annum in years three and four of the agreement
  • Back-pay to 1 July 2018 based on salary increases provided in the agreement
  • $2000 for reimbursement of ADAVB membership and CPD training costs (pro-rata for part-time employees, not payable to casuals)
  • $2000 sign on bonus (pro rata for part-time employees, not payable to casuals)
  • 12 weeks paid parental leave 
  • Refer to our new FAQs below for remuneration details
  • Download the new FAQs on the 2018-2022 EBA for specialist dentists employed at DHSV. 
What is the status of EBAs for dentists employed in hospitals and community health centres?

Two EBAs for general dentists employed in most public hospitals were lodged with the Fair Work Commission in October 2018 and January 2019. We are yet to receive approval due to current backlogs. We hope to have good news in the next few weeks.

We have persisted with EBA negotiations for dentists employed at community health centres (CHCs) for more than 19 months, however an agreement for all CHCs has not been reached.

Two EBAs covering seven community health centres (CHCs) were filed with the Fair Work Commission in January and March 2019, and we are awaiting a response.

The EBA for CHC employed dentists is yet to be accepted by 11 CHC employers. Despite the guarantee of state government funding, 11 CHCs, DHSV and the Department of Health and Human Services have not resolved the funding issues to provide their employee dentists with the same conditions as hospital dentists.

We appreciate that this is very frustrating for our CHC employed dentists, and we thank you for your patience and support. We will keep you updated as negotiations progress.

Not a member or have colleagues that aren't members? With entitlements like $2000 for reimbursement of ADAVB membership and CPD training costs, now is the time to join the ADAVB! 

Find out more on our membership page on our website.
Please contact Cathy Workman, Membership Officer, on 8825 4600 or cathy.workman@adavb.org for membership enquiries.