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6 February 2019

Nurses and Midwives Industrial Action Escalates TOMORROW with Huge Statewide Action

Members of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) working in the public sector will continue industrial action across the state tomorrow, Thursday 7 February 2019. This action comes after ongoing negotiations for a competitive wage offer and improved working conditions from the Tasmanian Government, continue to yield no formal offer.

The current industrial campaign undertaken by public sector nurses and midwives throughout the state is directed at the Tasmanian Government and their ability to recruit and retain nurses and midwives. It is estimated by the Department of Health that by 2025 there will be a shortfall of 85,000 nurses across Australia.

“The ANMF and our members feel strongly that unless a competitive wage offer and conditions package, is put forward that sees nurses gain pay parity with their interstate counterparts, nurses will continue to leave the state. Ultimately, it will be the Tasmanian community that will feel the full effect of this nursing shortage,” said Andrew Brakey, Executive Director of the ANMF.

“The ANMF are grateful that we have had the chance to sit down directly with the Premier and
Treasurer during the negotiation process. We are hoping that a further meeting on Monday 11 February will be a positive step towards an offer. However, the length of negotiations to date have been unacceptable to members,” said Mr Brakey.

“The ANMF presented its Log of Claims to the Tasmanian Government in March 2018 and negotiations commenced in June 2018. These negotiations have continued for close to 8 months now, this is unacceptable.”

“ANMF members were promised a formal offer from the Tasmanian Government some weeks ago, however at this stage there has been nothing forthcoming. As a result, our frustrated members feel that they have no other option but to move forward with planned stop work actions until a formal offer is presented to them.”

ANMF members from Operating Suites around the state will be  holding stop work meetings tomorrow morning between 8am and 10am at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital and North West Regional Hospital. Members in Theatre at the Mersey Community Hospital will be undergoing the same action between 8.30am and 10.30am.

Full stop work meetings in which the broader ANMF membership will be in attendance are also being held across the state tomorrow between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.  The full list of times and locations can be found below.

AM Locations – Theatre Action (8.00am – 10.00am)

  • Royal Hobart Hospital – Corner of Liverpool and Argyle Street
  • Launceston General Hospital – Charles Street entrance
  • North West Regional Hospital – Flag pole at main entrance
  • Mersey Community Hospital – Grassed area at main entrance (8.30am – 10.30am)

PM Locations – Mass Member Action (2.30pm – 3.30pm)

  • Royal Hobart Hospital – Paved area to the left of Liverpool Street entrance
  • Repat Centre Hobart – Corner of Barrick and Linden Streets
  • Launceston General Hospital – Charles Street entrance
  • North West Regional Hospital – Flag pole at main entrance
  • Mersey Community Hospital – Grassed area at main entrance

Media Doorstops:

  • ANMF Representatives will be available for comment at stop work meetings across the state.
  • ANMF Executive Director Andrew Brakey will be available for comment at the Royal Hobart Hospital stop work meetings between 8.15am and 8.45am and 3.00pm – 3.30pm.

–End–

Media contact:
Andrew Brakey, Executive Director
Mobile: 0427 385 501
Email: andrew.brakey@anmftas.org.au