EBA 2024 Update – Volume 3

Welcome to the third edition of a bulletin that aims to keep Western Health’s nurses and midwives informed and up to date on the bargaining negotiations for the successor enterprise agreements to both the:

• Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector)(Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2020-2024
• Victorian Public Mental Health Services Enterprise Agreement 2020-2024

which collectively cover all nurses and midwives employed at Western Health.

Introduction

This update provides information regarding the progress of the bargaining processes for the new Enterprise Agreements (EA) which will take effect over 2024.

The enterprise agreement for nurses and midwives working in public health services across Victoria expires on 30 April 2024, so these negotiations are underway.

Nurses working in mental health services are covered by a separate enterprise agreement which expires in December 2024. Negotiations for this agreement will commence later this year.

Current status

Western Health has been actively contributing to the negotiations with Deputy Executive Director Nursing & Midwifery and People & Culture representation at reference group meetings.

Western Health has also been part of a process led by the Victorian Hospital Industrial Association (VHIA) to calculate the cost of each of the unions’ claims to help inform decisions on which claims can be funded and any savings that can be predicted. This process has been completed and submitted to the Department of Health for their consideration.

In the meantime, negotiations continue between unions (ANMF, HWU and HACSU) and the VHIA. With the current agreement due to expire on 30 April 2024 the parties have been meeting usually two days per week, to discuss both the employee and employer claims.

The negotiation process involves each of the parties explaining the purpose of each claim so that the intention is fully understood, and then discussing how it could be applied in a way that does not lead to any unintended consequences. The parties formally respond to each of the claims, which allows for claims to be adjusted where possible to allow for agreement.

There does continue to be claims that remain unresolved where parties have yet to reach agreement, and many of these relate to claims that do not align with the Government’s wages policy.

Western Health continues to be hopeful that an agreement will be reached prior to the agreement expiring.

Next steps

During March 2024 unions will hold their first report-back meetings where they will give details on how the negotiations have progressed.

Western Health will continue to keep our nurses and midwives updated on progress too.

It is anticipated a draft Enterprise Agreement will be put to nurses and midwives to consider during March/April. At that time the unions will advise their members on voting to accept or reject the offered agreement and will advise on voting rights and obligations of members.

Keeping informed

Western Health will continue to provide regular updates on the outcomes of the bargaining process and how the new enterprise agreements for 2024-2028 are progressing.

Unions will also provide information to their members through regular publications, notices and report-back meetings.

Any queries or concerns can be discussed confidentially with the relevant Divisional Director of Nursing & Midwifery, Deputy Executive Director of Nursing & Midwifery or People & Culture Business Partner.