ANMF Return to Tasmanian Industrial Commission – If no outcomes; members have endorsed to take industrial action
June 2025
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Tasmanian Branch) today attended the Tasmanian Industrial Commission to discuss the status of the longstanding Public Sector Dispute.
“This dispute relates to all members working in the major hospitals across the State – affected by excessive vacancy numbers, unsafe levels of double shifts and daily shifts being worked short in record numbers,” Ms Mansell said.
Ms Mansell said the ANMF recently met with key Department of Health (DoH) representatives in relation to the dispute.
“We indicated that that following this meeting we would seek the views of members.
The ANMF at the conference on 18 June 2025 at 1000hrs intend to update the President and the Department with feedback obtained from our members over the past few weeks.
“Our members told us:
- 74% say there has been NO improvements in the last three months.
- The biggest cause of workload pressures are:
- Skill mix
- Shifts worked short
- Double shifts
- Vacancies
- 33% say that they are working double shifts several times a week.
- 41% say they work short staffed several times a week.
“Our members have expressed complete despair with their workload pressures and the ongoing unsafe working environment and workloads that they are forced to work within a daily basis.
“There has been no real and significant positive change since the dispute was first raised in 2024.”
Members have endorsed the ANMF to commence industrial action if the core aspects of the dispute remain unaddressed. If there are no commitments provided at the Commission, the ANMF will announce an intent to provide notice of Statewide industrial action with regard to safe staffing levels and double shifts across all of Tasmania’s major hospitals.
ANMF Acting-Branch Secretary Phoebe Mansell said the action will include:
- Wearing ANMF T shirts in the workplace
- Working to rule
- Stop work meetings of 1-2hrs in duration
- Ban on double shifts
Ms Mansell said the following requests remain outstanding:
- Market Allowance – letter sent to the department on 30 April 2025, with no response to date.
- Local level safe staffing meeting.
- Request for Clinical Coaches to be placed on wards/units as indirect when they meet agreed standards. There has been a move to have CCs diluted in the workforce as they are funded by direct care hours.
Ms Mansell said the ANMF has worked collaboratively with the Department of Health on this dispute.
“However, without meaningful changes and adequate supports to stabilise the workforce, it was inevitable that the issues would persist.
“Sadly, the ongoing nature of these challenges has already led many nurses and midwives to leave the workforce or the State, with many more now reconsidering their future in the profession.”