The state government's latest wage offer for public sector nurses and midwives will be put to union members, despite concerns it won't allow for long-term solutions around recruitment and retention.
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Tasmania's Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation executive director Andrew Brakey said the government's latest offer consisted of a 2.1 per cent pay rise for a 12-month agreement, with back pay to December 2018.
The offer also included career pathways for nurses and midwives that would see better retention of graduate nurses in the public sector, and the implementation of clinical coaches to support these positions in agreed areas.
While members didn't view the offer as a long-term solution, Mr Brakey said ANMF executives had to consider concerns that back pay would not be offered if an agreement was not reached before the end of June.
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"This offer in no way addresses the issue of pay discrepancy for nurses and midwives between Tasmania and other states," he said.
"However, the length of the agreement means that negotiations will recommence straight away should this offer be accepted.
"We remain committed to securing a package of wages and conditions as a long term solution to recruitment and retention in Tasmania."
The ANMF's move has been welcomed by Health Minister Michael Ferguson who said it was a positive step to ensuring members received a rise and back pay.
"Acceptance of the offer would mean most members would receive back pay between $700 and $1000," he said.
"The government has negotiated in good faith and put forward this offer earlier this month to ensure that our valued staff do not miss out on a pay rise, back paid from the expiry of the previous agreement."
Mr Ferguson said the action taken by the ANMF was in stark contrast to the "stunts and delaying tactics" of other unions.
Health and Community Services Union members at Launceston General Hospital walked off the job for about 30 minutes on Monday afternoon as industrial action escalated.
The move was dismissed by Premier Will Hodgman who said union action threatening to disrupt schools, childcare centres, prisons and health services was "completely unacceptable, potentially dangerous and fly in the face of any notion of good faith bargaining".
A meeting between the state government and union delegates is planned for Thursday.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
