Public sector nurses and midwives are currently voting in a protected industrial action ballot. The vote opened on Wednesday 17 April and closes at 5pm, Monday 29 April.
ANMF members will attend a statewide meeting on Tuesday 30 April to hear the outcome of the industrial action ballot and a progress report from elected union officials about their enterprise bargaining negotiations for improved wages, allowances and working conditions.
Negotiations between the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch), the Department of Health representing the Victorian Government and the employers' representative the Victorian Hospitals' Industrial Association began in October 2023.
The current enterprise agreement expires on 30 April. Nurses' and midwives' last pay increase was December 2022.
ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said 'Our public health system is at precarious workforce crossroads. Employers and the Victorian Government must act now to retain, recruit and rebuild our nurses and midwives.
'Despite gaining an additional 16,000 more nurses and midwives in Victoria over the last five years, employers are struggling to fill rosters. We need increased wages and allowances to reverse the expensive workforce casualisation trend and rebuild our permanent nursing and midwifery workforce so we can continue to care for the growing Victorian community.'
MEDIA INVITED TO ATTEND (please note these are approximate times only) 1:30pm Buses bringing nurses and midwives from across the state arrive via Gate 2. 2pm Statewide meeting commences Media is invited to hear formal speakers, but will be asked to leave for the members' discussion. Media will be invited back in for the nurses' and midwives' vote. 3.35pm (approx) ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick available to answer media questions. |
About us:
The ANMF (Vic Branch) has more than 100,000 members – nurses, midwives and aged care personal care workers – across the Victorian health and aged care sectors.
