Victorian nurses score 28 per cent pay rise in new $1bn deal with Allan government

Victoria’s nurses and midwives score a whopping 28.4 per cent wage boost under a new deal with the Allan government after sensationally rejecting a previous offer.

Victoria’s nurses and midwives could score a whopping 28.4 per cent wage increase under a billion-dollar deal proposed bythe Allan government.

The state government and the powerful nurses and midwives union have reached an in-principle agreement. Union members willvote on the offer on Wednesday.

It comes just three weeks after Victoria Police agreed to a landmark nine-day fortnight for frontline cops and a 16 per centpay rise over four years – worth $500m – and five days after CFMEU workers secured a 21 per cent pay rise over four years.

ANMF state secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick says nurses and midwives are ‘looking for an offer that respects the work they do’. Picture: Ian Currie

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s Victorian branch on Saturday said a proposed 28.4 per cent wage increaseover four years, improved night shift penalties for permanent staff and better ­allowances were on the table.

The Herald Sun understands the deal will cost taxpayers ­almost $1bn.

The development comes one month after members sensationally rejected an offer that included a 12 per cent pay rise – in linewith government policy – cash bonuses and a gender equity pay boost of between 5.5 and 13.3 per cent.

The previous offer came after the union launched 48 days of protected industrial ­action in May, with nurses shutting downone in four hospital beds and cancelling planned surgeries.

Cash bonuses offered in a previous deal will be absorbed into the total increase.

The new offer, which is subject to cabinet approval as well as member endorsement, would scrap the six-month qualifying periodfor parental leave and give workers more flexible work arrangements.

Nurses and midwives would also be granted a “right to disconnect” clause, and an improved process to fill shifts.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas with Victorian nurses. Picture: Ian Currie

It follows extensive discussions between the union and the state government.

The union’s 60,000-strong public sector Victorian branch will meet this Wednesday in Melbourne and at venues across regionalVictoria.

ANMF Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said nurses and midwives were looking for an offer that ­“respects the workthey do, rewards the work they have done through the pandemic and ­delivers on a significant majority of our members’ claims”.

“We believe this offer protects our current career structure and will significantly help to retain and recruit a permanentnursing and midwifery workforce and rebuild our health system,” she said.

“The offer also retains all of the new and improved allowances and penalties and ­improved terms and conditions in the earlieroffer.”

A Victorian government spokesman said negotiations had delivered “a fair deal to our hardworking nurses and midwives”.

“Victoria’s nursing and midwifery workforce is 88.2 per cent female and has historically been undervalued ­because of assumptionsbased on gender,” he said. “Our offer will address this gender inequity.”