24 June 2019
NURSES AND MIDWIVES OFFER RECEIVED
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has received an offer from government in reply to a counteroffer put forward. ANMF executive met this morning and have stated that they do not see the current offer as the long-term solution for recruitment and retention for nurses and midwives in Tasmania, however given the governments threat that back pay will be taken off the table ANMF executive has requested that the offer is put out to it members.
The offer consists of a 2.1% pay rise for a 12-month agreement with back pay to December 2018, with inclusion of career pathways for nurses and midwives that will see better retention of graduate nurses in the public sector and the implementation of clinical coaches to support these positions in agreed areas. This will go some way to addressing the current deficit of nurses and midwives, and also realise significant cost savings for the THS.
‘ANMF executive have today taken into account the concerns of ANMF members that back pay will not be offered if an agreement is not reached before the end of June for nurses and midwives, hence they have decided to put the offer to a survey of members over the next week.’ said ANMF Executive Director Andrew Brakey. ‘ANMF conducted mass membership meetings across the state over the past two weeks, where members made it clear that backpay was an issue for them.’
‘This offer in no way addresses the issue of pay discrepancy for nurses and midwives between Tasmania and other states, however the length of the agreement means that negotiations will recommence straight away should this offer be accepted’ said Mr. Brakey ‘We remain committed to securing a package of wages and conditions as a long term solution to recruitment and retention in Tasmania.’
Media contact:
Andrew Brakey, ANMF Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0427 385 501
Email: Andrew.brakey@anmftas.org.au