6 December 2018
Nurses and Midwives escalate industrial action and close Hobart streets today
EVENTS – TODAY 6th DECEMBER 2018
- Street Closure and Walk:
12:30pm departing from Royal Hobart Hospital Liverpool entrance to Parliament Lawns - Media Doorstop:
12:45pm Parliament Lawns - Gathering and Rally:
1:00pm Parliament Lawns. Speaking time with ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary,
Emily Shepherd and ANMF Representatives, Kat Loader and Gracie Patten
Members of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF), will today escalate industrial action by taking to the streets of Hobart alongside concerned community members. This action will see road closures from the Royal Hobart Hospital to Parliament Lawns in pursuit of a competitive offer from the Tasmanian Government as part of public sector negotiations.
“This action is designed to allow the community to show their support for nurses and midwives to demonstrate that a positive outcome is not only needed for the Nursing and Midwifery professions, but for the Tasmanian community and broader health system,” said ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary, Emily Shepherd.
The ANMF entered good faith negotiations with the Tasmanian Government on 31 May this year, and to date have not been able to negotiate an outcome for members. As a result, frustrated nurses and midwives launched industrial action on 10 September.
“Despite the enormous challenges in health, the Tasmanian Government are still yet to put a competitive offer on the table to nurses and midwives that will enable quality care delivery both now and into the future. Historically, nurses and midwives would have been awarded a pay rise in the first fortnight of December, yet instead they will be rallying outside Parliament House just to get the Tasmanian Government to come to the negotiating table with a respectful offer.”
“The community walk and gathering today is designed to highlight that nurses and midwives are not just taking this action for the future of their profession, but indeed to ensure safe and quality health care services for the greater Tasmanian community into the future.”
-End-
Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0400 884 021
Email: emily.shepherd@anmftas.org.au