Preliminary discussions
Weekly discussions started on 14 May for a new public sector mental health services agreement.
Talks are being held between ANMF (Vic Branch), the Victorian Hospitals’ Industrial Association (VHIA), the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU).
ANMF members have more than 80 claims to improve entitlements, conditions and physical and psychological safety for nurses working in the mental health sector.
By the end of yesterday’s meeting ANMF had tabled more than half its claims and continued submitting draft clauses.
Claims include ensuring the achievements secured in the Victorian public sector nurses and midwives 2020-24 agreement are also included in the public sector mental health services and Forensicare agreements.
These include: improved paid parental leave for primary and non-primary carers; superannuation to be paid on the unpaid component of parental leave; earlier access to long service leave, almost doubling the Sunday night shift allowance and measures to support building the mental health nursing workforce.
The employer log of claims is yet to be presented.
Visit anmfvic.asn.au/EBA2020mentalhealthnursing for the ANMF Victorian public mental health services log of claims and updates.
Forensicare talks expected to start in July
The negotiations for a new agreement for enrolled and registered nurses employed at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Health are expected to start in July.
Like the those for the public sector mental health services, these negotiations will also take place between ANMF (Vic Branch), VHIA, DHHS and HACSU.
Visit anmfvic.asn.au/EBA2020mentalhealthnursing for the ANMF Forensicare log of claims and updates.
Notice of Employee Representation Rights (NERR)
Before formal bargaining can commence for the mental health agreement and the Forensicare Agreement, the public sector mental health services and Forensicare employers must issue a Notice of Employee Representation Rights (NERR) to all employees covered by the proposed replacement EBAs.
ANMF is a default bargaining representative and members in the public sector mental health services or Forensicare do not need to take any action regarding the NERR.
Job Reps and HSRs
Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting ANMF Organisers’ ability to visit workplaces, ANMF is posting multiple hard copies of the claims to Job Reps and HSRs for distribution in your workplace.
This mail out should start arriving in reps’ letter boxes in the week starting Monday 8 June.
Reps are encouraged to discuss the claim with members and display a copy and these EBA updates on notice boards.
Stay informed and involved
Members are encouraged to ensure ANMF has your correct workplace and contact details. You can update your details on the Member Portal.
If you are not receiving ANMF’s EBA email updates you may have unsubscribed from our communications, get back in touch.
Mental health royal commission
Members will be aware the Andrews Government has given the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System an extension. The final report is now due February 2021 instead of October 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ANMF remains committed to improving the conditions and working lives of our members working in mental health to ensure the workforce is ready to support the reforms recommended by the royal commission.
Postgraduate mental health nurse scholarships
The Department of Health and Human Services is offering scholarships of up to $3,000 for registered nurses working in the Victorian public health sector to support postgraduate study in mental health nursing.
To be eligible you must be enrolled in a 2020 Semester 2 postgraduate program that leads to a tertiary qualification in mental health nursing or advances the applicant’s knowledge, skills and capacity to provide effective mental health care.
Applications close Friday 17 July 2020.
Victorian Collaborative Mental Health Nursing Conference
Registrations are open for the rescheduled Victorian Collaborative Mental Health Nursing Conference at Moonee Valley Racecourse on November 9 and 10.
ANMF (Vic Branch) is a joint host of this annual conference which celebrates and showcases the specialist practice of mental health nursing across the full range of service settings and therapeutic approaches.
Mental health nurses are invited to submit a conference presentation abstract.
View abstract information and register (free passes are available for student nurses).
