ANMF continues to work towards a resolution of enterprise agreement negotiations. A further proposal has been provided to Healthscope this week and we await a response.
Members are to be congratulated for maintaining the strength of the campaign and have been resolute in achieving a fair and reasonable outcome. We particularly congratulate theatre members on their action yesterday and acknowledge all other members who supported their colleagues by exercising their entitlement to take other forms of action.
Advice in relation to Refusal to be Redeployed during Christmas low occupancy period
ANMF advises members that, during the Christmas low occupancy period, if you take the action of refusing redeployment, this should be limited to circumstances where the redeployment request is for a single shift, rather than redeployment for a longer period that has resulted from a temporary ward contraction/closure.
Action commencing Monday, 15 December 2025
ANMF has notified the commencement of the following industrial action, to commence on 15 December 2025 on an ongoing basis:
- refusal to undertake receptionist/administrative duties and/or food services related duties, such as the delivery of meals, snacks and/or beverages to patients; and
- a ban on any Nurse or Midwife in Charge of a ward or unit taking a patient load (whether they are the Nurse or Midwife Unit Manager or a Nurse or Midwife in charge in the out of hours of the NUM or MUM).
This means that members may commence the taking of either of these actions (in conjunction with, or separately to, previously notified actions) from 7am on Monday, 15 December 2025.
Work stoppage (applicable to all members)
ANMF has notified a four-hour work stoppage on Monday, 15 December 2025 from 12:30pm.
This stop-work will be for up to four hours in duration and open to all members to participate in. If you are working the AM shift, you may stop work at12:30pm for the remainder of your shift, and if you are working the PM shift, you may commence work at 4:30pm.
As previously advised:
- on wards, night staffing levels should be maintained during the period of the action, and
- in theatres, sufficient staff should remain for emergency cases that may arise during the period of the action.
Bed closures
Bed closures will also commence from 7am, 15 December 2025 and conclude at the end of the PM shift on 19 December 2025.
ANMF will be liaising with Job Representatives in relation to how this action will work in practice, including provision of bed closure signs for use during the periods of action.
Please await advice from your Job Rep. If you have not had advice from your Job Rep about the taking of this action, please focus your efforts on other forms of action.
Importantly, cardiac, neurosurgery, oncology, maternity/obstetrics, paediatric, neonatal and palliative care patients, or emergency patients where their condition is expected to deteriorate within 48 hours, are exempt from this action.
Action commencing Tuesday, 16 December 2025 (applicable to Cath Lab and DOSA only)
ANMF has also notified a four-hour work stoppage on Tuesday, 16 December 2025 from 1pm. This stop-work will be for up to four hours in duration and open to Cath Lab and DOSA members to participate in.
This means that if your shift ends at 5pm or earlier, you may stop work from 1pm if safe to do so and not return for the day. If your shift commences at 1pm or later, you may start work at 5pm.
As per previous advice, sufficient staff should remain for emergency cases that may arise during the period of the action and members should stay and complete any procedures that are ongoing and run over 1pm.
Action commencing Thursday, 18 December 2025
ANMF has also notified a three-hour work stoppage on Thursday, 18 December 2025 for the last three hours of your rostered shift.
This stop-work will be for three hours in duration and open to all members to participate in. This means that you will be able to stop work with three hours of your shift to go.
Again:
- on wards, night staffing levels should be maintained during the period of the action, and
- in theatres, sufficient staff should remain for emergency cases that may arise during the period of the action, and members should stay and complete any procedures that are ongoing.
Can the ANMF help if I experience financial hardship as a result of pay docking?
Yes. The ANMF operates a member Hardship Fund for those involved in protected industrial action. Importantly, this is not an income replacement fund, it may provide some support to members who face significant hardship as a result of the protected industrial action where eligible. Members who are experiencing demonstrated financial hardship and have evidence of pay docking can apply at anmfvic.asn.au/healthscopehardship.
Threats or harrassment
It is your right under the Fair Work Act to take the forms of protected industrial including work stoppages. ‘Protected’ means you cannot be dismissed or disciplined for taking these actions.
ANMF will support members who are threatened, intimidated or harassed. To report any threats, intimidation or harassment, including those relating to pay docking, go to anmfvic.asn.au/healthscopereport.
Got a campaign question?
If you have any questions, please contact your local Job Rep or the ANMF Industrial Relations Organiser responsible for your site (see below) via records@anmfvic.asn.au. Please quote case ID 1083422 in the subject line.
- Dorset Rehabilitation Centre – Camilla Ablitt-Collins
- Geelong Clinic – Christian Sanderson
- Holmesglen Private Hospital – Stephanie Bligh
- John Fawkner Hospital – Lachlan Schacht
- Knox Private Hospital – Linda Elliott
- La Trobe Private Hospital – Julie Wearing-Smith
- Melbourne Private Hospital – Lyndal AlstonNorthpark Private Hospital – Julie Wearing-Smith
- Ringwood Private Hospital – Linda Elliott
- The Melbourne Clinic Private Hospital – Linda Elliott
- Victoria Clinic Private Hospital – Narelle Hayes
- Victorian Rehabilitation Centre – Jenna Bell
