ANMF Members Feeling Positive
18 August 2022
MEDIA DOORSTOP
When: 2pm, TODAY, Thursday 18 August 2022
Where: ANMF Hobart Office 182 Macquarie Street
Who: Emily Shepherd (ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary)
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Tasmanian Branch has wanted to clarify that the recently announced COVID Bonus announced by Government is as a direct result of ANMF Industrial action, although note that this offer has been extended to other frontline unions and their relevant union representatives as a result of this bonus replacing the COVID-19 Escalation Allowance Agreement.
The ANMF has been advocating for our members for over 8 months to ensure their extraordinary efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic were recognised by the state government. Now the Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff has put forward this offer of $2,000 retention payment on the table and while consultation is not yet complete, there has been positive feedback received as results of members feeling recognised.
“We are surveying members currently on the $2,000 payment, but early responses indicate positivity around the offer. We will know more by 5pm tomorrow (Friday 19 August) when the survey closes and will likely be able to indicate whether our members we will be accept the government’s offer and therefore cease their industrial action,” ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said.
The state government has also indicated the payment will be paid on the hours members have worked, acknowledging the workforce has put in countless double shifts and overtime to keep up with the demands of Tasmania’s healthcare system.
“The government says it will also reduce the taxation burden, by putting forward a payment plan for members consideration which may be across multiple pay periods.
“The one-off bonus will replace the existing COVID-19 allowance agreement if members accept the offer, noting $2,000 is higher than any payments already calculated under the agreement for ANMF members to date, including those in the North West who were likely not to receive any payment under the existing agreement due to not achieving the 30-day threshold for their recent COVID-19 escalations. Given the last COVID-19 wave peak was of less duration and waves across the Country are also of less duration, it’s possible that members may have not received any further payment under the existing agreement and certainly not close to the $2000 on offer.
“The offer also includes the previous offer of clinical coaches, additional permanent Transition to Practice positions, workforce modelling and commencement of Enterprise Agreement negotiations prior to November 2022,” Ms Shepherd said.
The last two years of the pandemic have been very difficult for our members and are pleased that the Government have listened and recognised and have now recognised their efforts. Members are now keen to focus on the strategies to assist with workloads and safe staffing levels.
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Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0400 884 021
Email: Emily.Shepherd@anmftas.org.au