EBA 2024 Update – Volume 6

Welcome to the sixth 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.

Background

On 19 March the state Government provided an offer to the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation in response to their claims and wages proposal for the next Enterprise Agreement.

The offer included a 4-year agreement, a 3% per annum wage increase, a pro rata $1,525 per EFT lump sum payment and agreement to a number of no-cost items to be included in the Agreement.

At an ANMF members meeting held on 21 March, a resolution was agreed to;

• reject the offer,
• make an application for a protected industrial action ballot order in the Fair Work Commission.

Protected Industrial Action Ballot

The ANMF application to the Fair Work Commission to seek approval to ballot ANMF members on taking protected Industrial Action has now been approved. The ANMF have proposed 25 elements of action, including displaying campaign materials, limited collection of audit and reporting data, reductions in managing referrals, theatre cases and inpatient beds.

It is important to understand that any action cannot put patients or staff at risk or impact care delivery. Safe staffing levels and Safe Patient Care Ratios are to be maintained. Western Health will work closely with wards and unit managers to ensure staff are supported through this time of uncertainty and dispute.

We recognise that not all of our nurses and midwives are members of the ANMF and that there will be varying views about the proposed Industrial Action. It is important that we retain our relationships and are respectful of each other.

Next steps

The Ballot will be sent to all members of the ANMF employed in public health services across Victoria, community health centres and aged care facilities who are employed under the Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector)(Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement.

Western Health has provided the information requested by the Fair Work Commission to an independent survey service called VERO, which includes the name and contact details of all nursing and midwifery employees (excluding our Mental Health & Wellbeing nurses). The ANMF will also supply their membership list for each health service.

The Ballot will then be circulated by VERO only to ANMF members. The Ballot will be conducted electronically, and will close on 29 April.

Protected industrial action can only occur at each health service if 50% plus one of the eligible members at that health service vote, and for more than half vote in favour of the action being taken.

Protected Industrial Action can only occur once the current enterprise agreement expires from 1 May 2024. Until this time, industrial action including the wearing of campaign t-shirts and posting of campaign material should not occur.

Western Health values our staff and we respect their right to take industrial action, and we reiterate the importance for everyone to show respect towards each other during this time.

We will continue to provide information and updates as the process progresses.

If you have any concerns or questions please reach out in confidence to your Director of Nursing & Midwifery, or Deputy Executive Director.

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.