Stop work community rally Thursday 6 July, 12 – 2pm outside Diabetes Victoria, 15-31 Pelham Street, Carlton.
Diabetes Nurse Educators at Diabetes Victoria are escalating their protected industrial action with a stop work community rally on Thursday 6 July outside Diabetes Victoria.
Enterprise bargaining negotiations have reached a stalemate between the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch) and Diabetes Victoria. The current EBA expired on 30 June 2020, with initial negotiations pausing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ANMF members commenced protected industrial action on 27 June to secure a fair pay rise and improved working conditions. Bans included wearing red campaign t-shirts, using ANMF background during online appointments and supplying campaign information to their clients.
The proposed Diabetes Victoria offer currently on the table includes a 3 per cent wages increase from October 2021, October 2022 and October 2023. Subsequently, from October 2023, this will mean that Diabetes Nurse Educators employed by Diabetes Victoria will be paid about 8 per cent less than their colleagues employed in the public health sector.
ANMF (Vic Branch) Assistant Secretary Madeleine Harradence said: ‘Diabetes Victoria Diabetes Nurse Educators are not taking this industrial action lightly and will ensure there is no risk to clients.’
‘They haven’t had a pay rise since 2019 and have been subjected to a pandemic-imposed wage freeze. Insultingly, they are already paid less than their dietitian colleagues despite performing the same work plus additional duties, and are 8 per cent less their counterparts in the public system.’
‘Diabetes Victoria should offer wage increases and improved working conditions that recognise their vital work supporting clients and their families to manage their diabetes, including insulin management.’
The nurse educators are encouraging clients and the community to support the campaign by emailing Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan.
