ANMF (Vic Branch) congratulates members at Maryvale Private Hospital, who have become the first private acute members in the state to secure wages parity with the public sector beyond November 2027 – when the final 9.43 per cent uplift under the public sector EBA is due.
Members voted up the offer in October and it is now with the Fair Work Commission for approval. It will become operational seven days after the Commission signs off.
ANMF began bargaining for members’ new EBA in May. Maryvale provided an initial wages offer in July, which members rejected due to its disparity with the public sector – particularly at the commencement of the agreement and again in late 2027/early 2028.
Maryvale tabled a revised wages offer, as part of a four-year agreement, in late August that addressed many – though not all – member concerns. Although this offer will see some classifications slightly behind the public sector at certain points (while others are ahead), overall it ensures parity with the public sector and other private acute providers for most classifications throughout much of the agreement.
Significantly, it also ensures public sector parity beyond November 2027. This is when the public sector 9.43 per cent wages uplift occurs, and to date no other private acute EBA extends beyond this date as no other private acute employers have yet agreed to match this wages uplift.
What else is in the offer?
In addition to the significant pay increases, the new EBA will provide many improvements in conditions. These include:
- Improved access to long service leave – after eight years continuous service from the commencement of the Agreement, then after seven years continuous service from 1 July 2026. The expired Maryvale EA provides for access at nine years continuous service. These changes will bring Maryvale into line with the public sector and other private acute providers.
- Commitment to a minimum of three nurses rostered overnight.
- Increased redundancy entitlements for employees with 10 or more years’ service to 16 weeks pay.
- Introduction of a new classification for educators and employees in infection prevention.
- Increase in single day personal leave absences without the requirement to provide evidence to five occasions per year (previously three).
- The ability for employees to use personal leave to attend assisted reproduction appointments and/or parenting classes where these are only available during an employee’s rostered shift.
- Inclusion of a right to disconnect clause.
- Improving the consultation clause to ensure ANMF is notified of major changes.
- Expanded definition of immediate family to include employees who are foster carers and to recognise kinship care.
Additionally, Maryvale has taken steps to address employee concerns regarding the quality of meals provided to staff.
Well done to all Maryvale members.
