Mike Sproston

Ordinary Member, Branch Committee of Management 

I’m a Radiation Therapist. Raised with and had my life saved by the NHS. After training and working in it, I moved to work in Toronto, Canada followed by Singapore before landing in Melbourne in 2004. A lifelong public health employee and union member I believe in the value of the service to the community. It should not only be protected but improved. Unfortunately, repeated Enterprise Bargains and Government policy has eroded our worth and remuneration. While roles have evolved, mission creep, with traditional responsibilities adopted by Allied Health pay & conditions has not been commensurate with it.

Over the last four years, I’ve been instrumental in organising a working group representing Victorian Public Sector RTs. I’ve conducted a comprehensive review of our expanded scope of practice, surveyed interstate services to benchmark our practice in Victoria with RT and our Physics colleagues, got endorsement from the Heads of Radiation Oncology, established relations with interstate groups, presented at conferences, met and lobbied State & Federal Politicians and currently on the Delegate Bargaining Team in the latest round.

I started to get active in the union after the previous EBA, negotiated by the current leadership. At best leadership were well meaning, at worst, they lacked ambition, strategy, organisation or a belief in the membership. As a result, Victorian Public Health RTs have suffered a disparity of over $50k+ over the life of our agreement versus colleagues in other states. Same job, same registration and training BUT significantly less pay! Recruitment, retention and attrition are chronic issues and if we hope to stop the revolving door we need to act.

I acknowledge the work attempted by previous leadership but I think it is time for a changing of the guard.