Customers of Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support are reminded that industrial action could affect services across Australia both today (Friday, 9 December) and Monday (12 December).
The Department of Human Services is encouraging people to defer non-urgent business and use online and other self-service options where they can, particularly in the afternoons.
General Manager Hank Jongen said the strike action will not affect customer payments.
“We expect the greatest impact will be in our service centres on both afternoons,” Mr Jongen said.
“There may be reduced numbers of staff providing Centrelink and Medicare face-to-face services across the nation.
“If you were planning to visit a service centre on either afternoon, please consider another time if the matter isn’t urgent.
“This will help us focus on supporting people who are in financial hardship and need immediate assistance.
“Otherwise, you can do routine business via our online services, through myGov accounts, or the suite of mobile ExpressPlus Apps.
“Medicare phone services may also be affected this morning and Monday morning, and Child Support phone services this afternoon.”
Mr Jongen thanked customers for their patience during this latest round of stoppages.
“Like the union, we want our staff to get a pay rise and we remain committed to bargaining in good faith to achieve this outcome,” he said.
“Unlike the union, we don’t think taking industrial action that inconveniences our customers – some of the country’s most vulnerable residents – and forces staff to take unpaid leave, is the answer.”
Industrial action is also planned on Friday, 16 December, where the main impact is expected to be on people seeking Centrelink and Child Support call services throughout the afternoon.
Information on the digital self-service options is available at humanservices.gov.au/self-service.
Audio
Spoken by Department of Human Services General Manger Hank Jongen.
Download audio: Industrial action 9 and 12 December 2016 grab 1 (MP3, 843KB)
Transcript 1: If there is an impact, it will be in our service centres on both afternoons, because there may be reduced numbers of staff providing Centrelink and Medicare services.
Our priority will be to ensure that those most vulnerable, or with urgent queries, get the support they need.
For this reason we’re asking our customers to consider visiting or calling us at another time if their matter isn’t urgent.
Download audio: Industrial action 9 and 12 December 2016 grab 2 (MP3, 1,167KB)
Transcript 2: If you were planning to visit a service centre on either afternoon, please consider another time if the matter isn’t urgent.
Also, please consider calling us about Medicare or Child Support at another time, as there could be some disruptions to those services as well.
This will help us focus on supporting people who need immediate assistance.
Otherwise, as always you can do routine business via our online services, through your myGov account, or by using mobile Centrelink, Medicare or Child Support Apps.
Download audio: Industrial action 9 and 12 December 2016 grab 3 (MP3, 1,027KB)
Transcript 3: Like the union, we want our staff to get a pay rise and we remain committed to bargaining in good faith to achieve that outcome.
Unlike the union, we don’t think taking industrial action – which inconveniences our customers – is the answer.
The better option is for the union to work with us on delivering an enterprise agreement that meets the department’s operational and service delivery requirements, and that way we can give our staff a well-deserved pay rise.