ANMF Media Release: ANMF members gather for more strike action outside the LGH
2 August 2022
STRIKE ACTION
When: 1.30pm, TOMORROW, Wednesday 3 August 2022
Where: Launceston General Hospital, Charles Street
Speakers: Emily Shepherd (ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary)
MEDIA DOORSTOP
When:1.45pm, TOMORROW, Wednesday 3 August 2022
Where: Launceston General Hospital, Charles Street
Who: Emily Shepherd (ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary) and ANMF Nursing and Midwifery representatives
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Tasmanian Branch is holding strike action outside the Launceston General Hospital tomorrow at 1.30pm for 15 minutes only.
After an exceptional turnout outside the Royal Hobart Hospital last week, members are feeling buoyed by the support shown to them by their colleagues and the wider community.
“We had more than 300 Nurses, Midwives and Assistants in Nursing, and 200 additional virtual attendees turnout to ensure their voices were heard. It sent a very strong message to the government that enough is enough. The state government must implement safer workloads and ensure quality patient care,” said Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary.
A great turnout was also seen outside the Hobart Repatriation Hospital on Davey Street on Thursday, with many tooting horns from passing cars showing members appreciation and solidarity.
Ms Shepherd said the state government has offered to start Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiations early if the ANMF stops the strike action and vacates the Workload and Workforce Dispute in the Tasmanian Industrial Commission (TIC).
“Bringing forward negotiations is not the answer – nurses are asking for conditions they are already entitled to under the current agreement.
“There’s an obligation on the Tasmanian government to meet those entitlements such as safe staffing, ensuring that there are safe workloads, ensuring our members aren’t working onerous amounts of double shifts and overtime – that is already an entitlement in the existing agreement.”
The ANMF is also seeking a variety of immediate clinical resources, such as clinical coaches, to provide support to nurses and midwives through their own individual novice to expert transition.
“We’re hoping the government will come to the table with concrete solutions we can put back to members and, potentially, call off our strike action,” Ms Shepherd said.
Further action is scheduled in the North West in the coming weeks.
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Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0400 884 021
Email: Emily.shepherd@anmftas.org.au