NURSES AND MIDWIVES RAMPING UP CAMPAIGN FOR PUBLIC SECTOR AGREEMENT OFFER
Monday 14 September 2026
MEDIA DOORSTOP
WHERE: LAUNCESTON GENERAL HOSPITAL – Charles Street
WHEN: 12.30pm, Monday, 14 September 2026
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) is supporting members in their campaign for better working conditions and entitlements, bargaining for a replacement public sector nurses and midwives’ agreement.
ANMF Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said members will wear campaign T-shirts, Bandanas and Badges from this Tuesday and will continue to wear them every Tuesday and Thursday.
“The ANMF has been advocating for public sector nurses and midwives at the bargaining table calling on the Government to improve staffing and workloads, protect members’ safety and wellbeing and to value those nurses and midwives who are currently working across the public sector,” Ms Shepherd said.
“However, members feel it is important that Government see the nurses and midwives behind this campaign, so they will be wearing campaign materials in the workplace and sharing this on social media.
“This will show the Government see the faces of our hard-working nurses and midwives who are desperately seeking an offer that values and respects them.”
Ms Shepherd said the ANMF is anticipating an offer at the next bargaining meeting in two weeks’ time after finalising the presentation of members’ 72 log of claims items as well as providing the context and clarification behind each along with members providing their own lived experiences.
“Our members have bargained in good faith and put forward 72 claim items that will directly assist with improvements to staffing, workloads, their health, wellbeing and retention and recruitment.“An offer that addresses these key priority areas will not only assist our members but allow them to offer the quality care that our members wish to, but are unable to more often than not, resulting in poor morale, moral injury and ultimately members choosing not to continue in their professions.
“Members have committed to good faith bargaining and will see that process through.
“However, should the impending offer from Government not address the issues that matter most to nurses and midwives, the ANMF will support members to take whatever action they wish in order to ensure they are valued, respected and can continue to carry out their roles without their own health and wellbeing suffering.”
Ms Shepherd said ANMF members have provided compelling lived experience evidence regarding the log of claims, with members detailing workloads, understaffing driven by lack of staff.
“Members have highlighted the violence and aggression they experience in their day-to-day work and how this is impacting on their own health and wellbeing.
“Combined with nurses and midwives leaving to take jobs in more competitive jurisdictions like Queensland and long and onerous recruitment processes here, members report it is simply their goodwill and desire to help others that keeps them turning up, but report that some are just not able to.
”The next bargaining meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22.
-End-Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Email: Emily.Shepherd@anmftas.org.au