Nurses union backs latest govt pay deal
A union representing nurses and midwives is calling on its members to vote in favour of a new enterprise bargaining offer after months of industrial action.
The South Australian branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is encouraging nurses and midwives to vote in favour of a new enterprise agreement, which it describes as a “significant improvement” secured through “sustained” pressure.
The union said the new offer included wage increases of 16 per cent over three years, together with a range of industrial improvements and protections sought by nurses and midwives during bargaining.
According to the state government, if backed by staff in a ballot, the offer would provide general increases of three per cent each year from January 1, three per cent from July 1, 2027, and four per cent from July 1, 2028.
The government said the offer would also increase existing on-call allowances, with the weekday rate to rise from $38.70 each shift to $51.20, while weekend rates would increase from $67.60 to $89.44 and public holidays from $67.60 to $127.68.
However, the union said the government had not agreed to its claim to include all infants as patients for the purposes of minimum staffing ratios, despite receiving a commitment for this claim to be reviewed.
“This offer delivers significant pay increases, important industrial improvements and a number of claims secured through member action, while recognising that not every ANMF SA claim has been achieved,” ANMF secretary associate professor Elizabeth Dabars said.
“While the offer does not achieve every claim advanced by ANMF SA, it represents meaningful progress and reflects the strength of members who have campaigned, rallied and taken industrial action throughout this bargaining round.”
Dabars said that the union had “carefully considered” continued industrial action to achieve further gains, as well as the risks of arbitration, but said that “our recommendation is a strategic decision to secure significant gains now while continuing to build momentum for future bargaining rounds”.
“Every improvement in this offer has been achieved because members stood together, and that collective strength will continue to drive future gains,” she said.
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Premier Peter Malinauskas said the deal would deliver an annual wage increase of between $12,752 and $17,400 for full-time nurses at the RN1 classification.
“We value our nurses and midwives greatly, and it is important that their importance to the community is underscored in this proposed enterprise bargaining agreement,” he said.
Health Minister Blair Boyer said the offer “is another step in demonstrating the value we place on nurses and midwives, and making sure it is an attractive profession into the future”.
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