Launceston nurses and midwives will walk off the job in the latest escalation of the public sector wage dispute.
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The Australian Nurses Midwifery Federation will hold a march and rally in Launceston on Saturday and announce the latest escalation of its action.
ANMF branch secretary Emily Shepherd said she expected about 100 people to attend the rally, with a march scheduled to walk from the Launceston General Hospital to Civic Square.
Speakers will address the gathered crowd at the rally where the latest escalation of the industrial action will be announced.
“This action shows the desperation nurses and midwives, as well as the community are feeling. Those attending the events tomorrow are seeking a positive outcome not only for the nursing and midwifery professions, but the broader Tasmanian community and health system which are suffering,” Ms Shepherd said.
The ANMF entered into negotiation with the government on May 31 and to date no outcome has been reached.
Ms Shepherd said nurses and midwives were disappointed in the government that no formal offer had been proposed.
Industrial action was launched on September 10 by nurses and midwives.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise between the education union and the state government as wage negotiations break down.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein urged the Australian Education Union Tasmania to “stop playing politics with parents and children” and expressed disappointment in the rejection of the latest offer.
“The fact that they are going to continue with industrial action is, quite frankly, an attack on parents and children,” Mr Gutwein said.
Mr Gutwein accused the union of being “an arm of the Labor party” and of playing politics with the dispute.
“The offer was made yesterday morning and rejected by 5pm. This [decision] was made by the AEU executives with little consultation,” he said.
The AEU rejected the claims made by Mr Gutwein, saying consultation had been conducted with members.
Teacher members are present at negotiation meetings and have been involved in each step of the process.
The dispute remains unresolved and a timeline on a resolution is yet to be finalised.
The ANMF march will start at the Launceston General Hospital at 12.30pm and the rally will start at 1pm.