In This Section
About Our Services
Who We Are
Salaried Doctors Queensland, Industrial Organisation of Employees (SDQ) , previously the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation Industrial Organisation of Employees, Queensland (ASMOFQ) which was registered as a Union for salaried medical officers by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in February 2000.
As an organisation RUN BY AND FOR DOCTORS, SDQ's focus is the specific industrial, career and training needs of all salaried doctors.
SDQ is part of a much larger unified federation of doctors' industrial organisations, providing the Queensland medical population with a strong voice in the national medico-political setting. Salaried medical officers can be assured of strength in industrial and professional unity across Australia.
SDQ has as its counterpart body, the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) which is a federally registered Union. Members of SDQ automatically become members of the Queensland Branch of ASMOF (at no extra cost). This relationship ensures complete representation on all issues which impact on doctors throughout Queensland, whether employed under a State or Federal industrial Award or EBA.
Individualised Industrial Officer Support
SDQ provides personalised advice and representation on your individual industrial matters.
SDQ's industrial officers can provide you with detailed advice on both general work entitlements and individual grievances.
For general advice phone us on 3839 2468.
Where further assistance or individual representation is required we will complete a Request For Representation Form for you.
Once a Representation Form has been completed you will be assigned an individual industrial representative to act as your case manager. This officer will deal with your case from that moment on.
Your Representation Form allows us to quality control our work and triage deadlines for resolution of your problems and provides for best quality practice.
Industrial Coverage
SDQ provides specialist help with grievances, pay roll disputes and tribunal submissions.
Representation includes but is not limited to;
- collective bargaining agreements
- wage rates and contract advice
- leave entitlements, including annual and sick leave, family, parental and long service leave
- Access to entitlements
- Time and wages checks (which is a check of a member’s employer’s pay records to ensure the correct entitlements are being provided)
- Unfair dismissals, reinstatements and redundancies
- Hours of work, rostering practices and fatigue issues
- Occupational health and safety issues
- Workplace grievances
- Workplace conditions and facilities
- Misconduct investigations
- Disciplinary appeals
- Workplace harassment or bullying
- Workplace discrimination
- Diminished work performance processes
- WorkCover tribunals
- Rehabilitation and return to work
- Rotation and secondment deployment issues
- Retirement due to ill health
External Tribunals
SDQ industrial officers can appear on your behalf Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, the Fair Treatment and Disciplinary Appeals before the Appeals Tribunal of the Office of the Public Service Commissioner, conciliation conferences in the Anti-Discrimination Commission of Queensland and Medical Board of Queensland hearings and appeals.
Appearance by an industrial officer in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission requires the consideration of the SDQ State Secretary. In determining the approval process we consider factors such as the outlay of resources required vs. likely outcome of the process and also the industrial precedent of your claim on the wider medical community.
Representational Conflicts of interest
All SDQ members are entitled to equitable representation.
It is possible that SDQ may be called on to represent individuals on different sides of the same dispute.
In this circumstance, different industrial staff will provide advice and representation to the different members involved, and respect each member's confidentiality. In rare cases and with the permission of the Executive the second party to contact SDQ may be offered outsourced representation.
Pre-existing issues
If an individual joining the Union requires assistance with an existing problem, or where the Union is satisfied that the problem was pre-existing, a service fee equivalent to one year’s subscriptions must be paid on joining and the member must sign up to commence payment from the date of joining which will commence in addition to the fee. In these instances the SDQ will provide information and advice only but not representation in relation to the pre-existing issue.
Legal Representation
SDQ does not offer legal representation. However we can recommend the following law firms that have given our members excellent care in the past
- Hal Payne (webpage http://www.hallpayne.com.au)
- Susan Moriarty (email - susan.moriarty@bigpond.com)
- Copland Workplace Law (webpage http://www.copelandlaw.com.au)
Please not that some Law firms offer discounts for SDQ member representation
Conduct
SDQ staff are required to treat you with dignity and respect. In return SDQ expects the same consideration from members. Abusive, hostile or threatening behaviour towards SDQ staff will not be tolerated, nor will sexual harassment. SDQ staff may withdraw the provision of advice or representation to a member if it is considered the member's conduct towards a SDQ employee is inappropriate.
Complaints
If you have a complaint about your treatment or the processes within SDQ please write a letter to the SDQ State Secretary or send an email to sdq@internode.on.net
Data Collection and Privacy
SDQ Queensland is committed to ensuring that the personal information held about you is maintained in a form that is accurate, complete and current.
Please update your contact details whenever your circumstances change. You can use our convenient online tool for these changes.
SDQ maintains strict standards and procedures to prevent unauthorised access to your personal information and ensure correct use and storage of information.
Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
Personal information held about you will be used by SDQ to distribute industrial information, publications and correspondence to members and to provide information on benefits and special offers to members.
Third Party Access
At times, it may be necessary for other organisations or contractors to access your personal information to facilitate the operation of the association. However, SDQ will not give a third party direct access to any of your contact personal information.