North-West nurses and midwives to consider industrial action
24 September 2026
MEDIA DOORSTOP
WHERE: NORTH WEST REGIONAL HOSPITAL – Main Entrance
WHEN: Thursday, September 24
TIME: 12:15pm
WHEN: Thursday, September 24
TIME: 12:15pm
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) held a Mass Member meeting at the North West Regional Hospital following the disappointing outcome in bargaining on Tuesday, when members were expecting to receive an offer for their replacement agreement, but no offer was made.
ANMF Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said the ANMF has been negotiating since April 2026 and has presented a log of 73 log of claim items, developed following extensive member feedback.
“It has taken considerable time to provide the context and the rationale for these claim items, and it is only right that members’ claim items are presented and heard at the bargaining table,” Ms Shepherd said.
“Members have engaged in good faith bargaining and given considerable time right across the state to present their log of claim items, with delegates explaining exactly why the claim is on the log and how it affects them in their day-to-day work and in patient care delivery, including right here at the North West Regional Hospital.
“Members honestly feel that the level of detail provided and the discussions that have occurred would have provided sufficient detail for the Public Sector Industrial Relations Committee (PSIRC) to make an offer to exhausted, yet dedicated, nurses and midwives.
“It is incredibly difficult for them to accept that there is no definitive timeframe as to when this may happen.
”Ms Shepherd said members at the North West Regional Hospital are holding onto the hope that the Government offer, when it is finally made, will actually address some of the long standing challenges they are facing and allow them to deliver the quality care they wish to be able to provide.
“Improving the ability to recruit hard to fill positions with a market allowance and support the workforce with designated 15 minute morning tea and afternoon tea breaks will also support a workforce that is facing considerable burnout due to moral injury and working short staffed on a regular basis.
“Members already feel undervalued and holding up an offer due to the failure to complete the work that was supposed to be done in collaboration with ANMF members is just another blow to exhausted and burnt-out members.”
Ms Shepherd said the ANMF will today discuss with members their views on their next steps of the bargaining process and whether this will include industrial action.
“Regardless, the ANMF will continue to meet with the Department in good faith to work toward securing an offer that values and respects the dedicated and hard working nurses and midwives in the Tasmanian Health System.”
-End-