Winter Retention Payment and Consultation Sought
15 June 2022
Media Doorstop
Where: ANMF Office, 182 Macquarie Street Hobart
When: 2:00pm, 15 June 2022
Who: ANMF Tasmania Branch Secretary, Emily Shepherd
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) has written to the Premier to seek a Winter Surge Payment for all Nurses, Midwives and Assistants in Nursing in the State’s public sector, following similar announcements made in New South Wales and Victoria last week.
Particularly Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews noted that the payment wouldn’t make up for the sacrifices that Nurses and Midwives have made but was hopeful that it would show how valued those workers are by the Victorian Government.
“At a time when there is strong competition for recruitment and many nurses and midwives are considering their employment options, this strong and decisive leadership by the Andrew’s Government, which shows gratitude but also action, is what is required in Tasmania, said ANMF Tasmanian State Secretary, Emily Shepherd.
“The Tasmanian Government has implied that the current industrial action is an early enterprise agreement strategy by Nurses and Midwives, when in reality, it is a cry for help.
“Our members really don’t mind what the solution is, but support is needed now and well before negotiations commence in earnest in 2023, as they worry what will happen between now and then if the Tasmanian Government doesn’t act”, Ms Shepherd said.
The ANMF has sought a meeting with the Premier to discuss members’ concerns, while ANMF members continue industrial action in pursuit of better workloads and staffing to address their growing safety concerns for their patients and clients.
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Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0400 884 021
Email: Emily.Shepherd@anmftas.org.au