Protected Action Ballot
July 2024
The ANMF (Tasmania Branch) said today it will escalate its campaign against Tas IVF.
ANMF Tasmania Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said the ANMF has applied to the Fair Work Commission to run a protected action ballot at Tas IVF Pty Ltd.
“The protected action ballot will give ANMF members the right to take protected industrial action,” Ms Shepherd said.
“We are escalating our campaign because Tas IVF’s offer is not good enough.
“Our nurses’ last pay rise was 2.5%, a little over a year ago. Tas IVF management has offered an average annual wage increase of 3.25% per year over the next 4 years. This is not enough in the current cost of living environment.”
Ms Shepherd said key conditions are also at stake.
“There is an important point of principle in this bargain that nurses should be paid for the time spent at work. Otherwise, that’s effectively wage theft.
“Tas IVF refuses to recognise that time spent in the workplace changing into scrubs or otherwise preparing for work is paid work time.
“Staff arrive early to prepare for their designated start and are not paid for this time.”
Ms Shepherd said in the context of the newly legislated right to disconnect, staff expected to be on call must be appropriately compensated.
“Otherwise, they should be able to disconnect. Management is refusing to ensure that the on-call allowance is paid to nurses holding the phone.”
Ms Shepherd said the ANMF has recently negotiated an enterprise agreement with Melbourne IVF – Tas IVF is part of the Virtus Group, which includes Melbourne IVF. The Melbourne agreement is about to start.
“Let’s look at the pay rates for a Registered Nurse with 8 years of service.
“After 8 years, a Registered Nurse at Tas IVF reaches the top pay point for a Registered Nurse Level 1.
“Most nurses at Tas IVF are experienced and have reached the top pay point.
“The Tas IVF pay rate is almost 8% less than the Melbourne IVF rate for a Registered Nurse with 8 years of service. Virtus charges clients differently in different states. Members don’t accept their argument that this means they should pay their nurses differently.”
Ms Shepherd said the ANMF has been bargaining with Tas IVF since April 2024.
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Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0400 884 021
Email: Emily.Shepherd@anmftas.org.au