ANMF has launched a national landmark application in the Fair Work Commission for a 35% increase to award wages for frontline nurses and midwives.
About 1500 ANMF (Vic Branch) members, employed under the Nurses Award 2020 and not under an enterprise bargaining agreement, would benefit significantly if the application is successful.
These members work in a range of smaller workplaces including GP medical and specialist clinics, small day procedure and endoscopy centres, some private drug and alcohol services, cosmetic surgery services and some private at-home dialysis services.
The Federal ANMF’s application seeks to vary the Nurses Award 2020 on the basis that the work of nurses and midwives has never been properly valued.
ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said: ‘We contend that award rates are set too low, stemming from the historic, gender-based undervaluation of nursing and midwifery care work.
‘Nurses and midwives make up over 50 per cent of Australia’s registered health professionals and are, without exaggeration the backbone of our health and aged care systems.
‘They are predominantly women, with approximately 89 per cent of nurses being female, and nearly 100 per cent of midwives.’
Ms Butler said the nature of nurses’ and midwives’ work had changed dramatically over recent decades and was more complex. Nurses’ and midwives’ education, skill and responsibility had also changed to meet the healthcare system’s ever-changing demands.
‘The need for nursing and midwifery care has expanded, as people live longer and with greater levels of chronic disease,’ she said.
‘The Australian population has become more diverse, and expectations for a long and healthy life, supported by information, education and preventative care, are now the norm. Delivery of person-centred care is now the guiding principle under which healthcare operates.’
ANMF will keep members updated on the progress of this application.
Aged care work value case
The Federal ANMF’s application for a 35% increase to the Nurses Award rates is separate to its national aged care work value case where a further Fair Work Commission decision to increase the award pay rates of private aged care nurses and carers is expected in March. This would be on top of the 15% increase to award rates and the dollar equivalent to private aged care enterprise bargaining rates ANMF secured last year.
