Victorian doctors to hold statewide four-hour strike

Public hospital doctors in Victoria, Australia, have scheduled a statewide four-hour strike for Thursday, October 1, from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) notified hospitals of the stoppage, which is intended to address disputes over pay, excessive workloads, and unsustainable working conditions.

Union president Dr. Roderick McRae stated that doctors are facing severe fatigue, with some being rostered for 84-hour weeks. The union argues that these conditions, including unpaid overtime and inadequate rest, pose a systemic threat to patient safety. This action follows a previous four-hour walkout in August and a cancelled 24-hour strike in September that was halted due to legal intervention.

To maintain safety, emergency departments will be exempt from the strike, and staffing levels will be managed to ensure patient care continues. Hospitals have been asked to notify managers so they can plan for the disruption to appointments and procedures.