Nurses and midwives from operating theatres will walk off the job for two hours on Thursday, as part of coordinated stop work meetings planned at all four of the state’s major hospitals.
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The move comes as wage negotiations between the state government and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian branch continues.
The ANMF presented its log of claims to the state government in March last year, with negotiations commencing in June.
Executive director Andrew Brakey said it was unacceptable that negotiations had been ongoing for eight months.
“ANMF members were promised a formal offer from the Tasmanian Government some weeks ago, however at this stage there has been nothing forthcoming,” he said.
“As a result, our frustrated members feel that they have no other option but to move forward with planned stop work actions until a formal offer is presented to them.”
The state government has maintained its formal offer for a 6 per cent pay rise over three years, plus improved terms and conditions, was fair and reasonable.
However the ANMF claims the offer would make Tasmanian nurses and midwives the lowest paid in Australia.
“The ANMF and our members feel strongly that unless a competitive wage offer and conditions package, is put forward that sees nurses gain pay parity with their interstate counterparts, nurses will continue to leave the state,” Mr Brakey said.
“Ultimately, it will be the Tasmanian community that will feel the full effect of this nursing shortage.”
The ANMF will meet with the state government on Monday, February 11.