In This Section
A union is a non-profit membership organisation that exists to improve the working lives of its members. By joining together as a Union, doctors are able to access a range of services and have a voice on important workplace matters that could not be achieved alone. Better results come from working together for a common goal. A main task of the Union is to make sure working conditions are good (pay, safety, leave and other entitlements) as well as ensuring that members are treated fairly at work. The Union can only keep maintaining and improving workplace rights and pay conditions when people in the workplace choose to be members - without members there is no Union.
Unions provide their members with information, advice and support to get organised in the workplace. People who are not union members may need to pay thousands of dollars to lawyers to get similar advice or support.
But the best thing about unions is that your actions can help improve the situation of other workers. For example, if you ask the union to help you to make the workplace safer for you – it becomes safer for everyone. Improvements won by unions, such as shorter hours and superannuation, are now enjoyed by all employees.
Union Size, affiliation and Industry Experience
Unions originally represented a trade and were called ‘trade unions’.
Over time (and in part due to cut throat union takeovers) the biggest unions represent people from several industries or large part of the workforce. Often these groups have competing interests. Large unions traditionally played a role in politics as well, by endorsing and bankrolling union-friendly candidates and parties. Trade unions traditionally support the labor party. The labor party may in turn influence the union in its dealings with its work groups.
SDQ is not affiliated with trade unions and deals only with Queensland salaried medical doctors. SDQ understands the industry and has lots of experience in dealing with Queensland Health. If you have a problem at work, it is probably a problem we have seen before.
Can Queensland health stop me from being a union member or a representative?
It’s illegal for your employer to discriminate against you because you are a union member.
What is involved in being a member of a Union?
Being a union member is the way to make a real difference for you and your colleagues at work. Each doctor has to choose the level of involvement that best suits him or her. Unions will always achieve better results when its members are actively involved in the Union. Being active can be simply a matter of discussing workplace issues with colleagues and letting your SDQ Hospital Rep know of any issues or suggestions as they arise. Alternately you can become a part of your branch council and sit on branch meetings. It doesn’t stop there you can become a rep on committees involved in direct negotiation with Queensland Health. If you are interested in finding out more about ways to be actively involved in the union, contact SDQ office on aly.sdq@internode.on.net
How does the Union work in the hospital?
The strength and effectiveness of the union in your workplace depends on you and your fellow doctors - the more active you are the better for all. In the same way, the more people who choose to be union members – the stronger the voice on important matters in the hospitals.
Representatives play a key role in supporting members at work in dealing with workplace matters. Your Rep is your first point of call to get a question answered or to raise a work issue. Find out who your Rep is and let them know you have joined the union - if you don't have a Rep and would like to find out about what the role of the rep is, call your union office.
The SDQ webpage is also worth checking every now and again for the latest news. Importantly, stay in contact with your fellow members, your Rep and the SDQ Office by phone on 3839 2468- if you have questions or concerns please call, we're here to help.
What about AMAQ?
AMAQ is a medicopolitical body. It is NOT a union. AMAQ and SDQ had a conjoint arrangement up until last year. This is no longer the case. Don’t be fooled into joining AMAQ in the belief that you have automatic membership of SDQ. This is not the case and you could find yourself in the situation (as some doctors have) of believing you are a member, finding you have a problem with your employer only to discover you have no union cover!