ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT
SASMOA negotiates with the State Government on behalf of salaried doctors regarding the Enterprise Agreements which cover doctors’ remuneration and working conditions. Enterprise Agreements are renegotiated every three years.
The Agreements cover all aspects of doctors’ salary and working conditions (including rostering, shift lengths, breaks, penalties, allowances, professional development, reimbursements and leave). SASMOA then monitors and enforces the Agreements.
LATEST EB NEWS
Salaried Medical Officers Enterprise Agreement 2022 - approved
Following 16 months of negotiation with the State Government (September 2020 to December 2021), a new Salaried Medical Officers Enterprise Agreement went to a ballot of salaried medical officers in December 2021. The proposed agreement was approved by salaried medical officers, with the ballot result confirmed on 12 January 2022, and the new Agreement was formally approved by the SA Employment Tribunal on 2 February 2022.
The new Agreement and an explanatory memorandum that was used during the ballot process can be read here:
Prior to agreement being reached
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22 November 2021: Stop Work Meeting Postponed following constructive meeting with Treasurer (Member Update - PDF)
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19 November 2021: SASMOA to meet with Treasurer Rob Lucas (Member Update - PDF)
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16 November 2021: Stop Work Meeting set for 23 November (Member Update - PDF)
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11 November 2021: 'Give Us A Break' Lunchtime Stop Work Meetings (Member Update - link)
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5 November 2021: Disappointing response by employer continues (Member Update - PDF)
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SA Health reaches alarming new depths in survey ranking (Member Update - 2 November 2021 - PDF)
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22 October 2021: Implementation of Motions after Stop Work Meeting (Member Update - PDF)
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15 October 2021: Strong turnout at Stop Work meeting (Member Update - PDF)
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13 October 2021: Hundreds of doctors have walked off the job, worried about the state of our health system and the pressure they're under (9 News - 13 October 2021)
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12 October 2021: Medical Workforce Will Not Be Intimidated (Member Update - PDF)
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22 September 2021: Update following Member meeting (Member Update - PDF)
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27 April 2021: Crunch Time (Member Update - PDF)
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4 March 2021: Secret Plans for “Ground-Breaking Change” Undermine Good Faith Bargaining (Member Update - PDF)
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9 February 2021: Discussions Continue (Member Update - PDF)
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19 January 2021: Negotiations Recommence (Member Update - PDF)
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21 December 2020: Employer's agenda becoming clearer (Member Update - PDF)
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27 November 2020: Employer begins to reveal agenda (Member Update - PDF)
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3 November 2020: Employer Still Stuck in the Starting Gates (Member Update, Letter to Treasurer)
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22 September 2020: Disappointing 'False Start' to EB negotiations (Member Update - PDF)
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22 September 2020: SASMOA to target wage theft, fatigue, work/life balance in EB (PDF)
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2 September 2020: Government sets date for EB discussions to commence (PDF)
SASMOA consulted with its members from June to August 2020 to develop an understanding of issues of importance to doctors, from Trainee Medical Officers to Senior Consultants. We used this information to prepare our negotiating position and the claims pursued with the Government.
About the Agreement and the Enterprise Bargaining process
The Salaried Medical Officers Enterprise Agreement sets the pay and working conditions for most salaried doctors in South Australia.
Who is covered by the EA?
The Salaried Medical Officers Enterprise Agreement lays out the pay and working conditions of most doctors employed within SA Health’s Local Health Networks or in the SA Ambulance Service, including:
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Interns
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Medical Practitioners Group (the term used in the EA to cover RMOs, Registrars, Senior Registrars)
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Consultants & Senior Consultants
Visiting Medical Specialists and Clinical Academics are covered by separate Enterprise Agreements.
What’s actually in the EA?
The short answer is all pay and working conditions are set in the Agreement. This includes:
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Salaries
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Hours of work (e.g. maximum hours and shift lengths)
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Meal breaks and breaks between shifts
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On-call and recall to work arrangements
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Penalties and allowances (e.g. overtime, attraction and retention)
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Professional development
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Leave (e.g. personal leave, sick leave, maternity/partner leave, annual leave)
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Career structures and progression
Matters like physical facilities for breaks, sleep and study, travel/parking, and rights of private practice may also be covered.
The Enterprise Agreement is a detailed, legally enforceable document.
Who negotiates the EA?
The South Australian Salaried Medical Officers Association (SASMOA) is the registered industrial body which represents salaried doctors (“the employees”) in the negotiation. The negotiation is with the State Government, specifically the South Australian Treasury Department (“the employer”) and SA Health. Negotiations can take place from six months prior to the expiry of an existing Agreement.
After the negotiation, adoption of any new Enterprise Agreement is subject to a vote by all the employees it applies to (via a formal ballot process). To replace the existing Agreement a new Agreement will need to be supported by a majority of salaried doctors who participate in the ballot. The Agreement then needs to be approved by the South Australian Employment Tribunal.