ANMF negotiates pay rise for Tasmanian nurses

Tasmanian nurses have ended a 12-month stalemate with the State Government over a protracted pay rise dispute. Find out the terms of the agreement here.

TASMANIAN nurses will receive an average $700 in backpay after the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and the government negotiated a 12-month wage agreement.

The ANMF accepted a 2.1 per cent wage rise for its public sector workers after 80 per cent of its members endorsed an offer which will also ensure no loss of conditions and streamline progressions in some specialty classifications.

The agreement represents a major win for new Health Minister Sarah Courtney and Premier Will Hodgman. Mr Hodgman intervened on Friday to ensure the deal was reached, making the ANMF the first public sector union to reach an agreement with the government after a long and stubborn fight that last week saw some schools close because of cleaners’ work bans.

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Many nurses would receive more than $1000 in back pay once the deal was ratified, Mr Hodgman said.

“The Treasurer and I have said repeatedly that we want a fair and affordable pay rise for Tasmania public servants and that we are willing to negotiate with unions in order to achieve this outcome,” Mr Hodgman said.

“I believe the nurses’ decision represents a significant positive step in the government’s ongoing negotiations with unions, and I encourage all unions to take the ANMF’s lead and continue to negotiate with the government in good faith.”

ANMF director of operations and strategy Andrew Brakey. ANMF director of operations and strategy Andrew Brakey and Scott Rigby nurse unit manager emergency department LGH. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

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A letter sent to ANMF members said negotiations on the next enterprise agreement would begin immediately.

“It continues to be our objective, as it has been for over a year, to fight for improved pay and working conditions for nurses and midwives in Tasmania,” the letter said.

“Members should be assured they will suffer no disadvantage by accepting this offer. Any difference in pay increase arbitrated through the Tasmanian Industrial Commission for the Public Sector Unions Wages Agreement (if greater than 2.1 per cent) will also be handed down to ANMF members.”

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Union executive director Andrew Brakey said the agreement was a “stop gap measure” aimed at improving pay in the short-term while letting negotiations for a better deal continue.

The Australian Education Union had earlier reached agreement with the government but later reneged after facing a backlash over cuts to relief teacher pay.

The Premier has asked unions to have the dispute sent to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission.

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