Sophie Hadden. Photo supplied
A cardiac nurse at the Alfred Hospital, Sophie Hadden is relatively new to the life of an ANMF Job Rep, having started in the role at the end of 2021.
She jokes that she became a Job Rep because she was stuck on the couch for a month with a busted ankle, and during that time she read the EBA cover to cover ‘and it seemed a shame not to get involved’.
Following in her mother’s nursing footsteps, Sophie did her nursing degree during the 2011 ANMF campaign to protect nurse ratios and patient safety. ‘Thinking about it now still gives me goose-bumps,’ she says.
‘The trade union movement has resulted in so many basic workers’ rights that we take for granted now – like sick pay, annual leave, parental leave and safe working conditions. As a Victorian nurse, I’ve benefited from over 100 years of hard slog by the nursing trade unionists, and it’s exciting to be part of building on that history, ensuring we’re always moving forward.’
In her day-to-day role as a Job Rep, she tries to just be visible and available to her colleagues. ‘I feel pleased that I’m able to support my colleagues in politely and professionally ensuring their rights are protected,’ she explains, ‘either through escalation to management or in reaching out to the ANMF for advocacy.’
Being a Job Rep is not about being adversarial, she adds. ‘We have an obligation to our patients, peers and the public health system to ensure that the minimum requirements of the enterprise agreement and the Safe Patient Care Act are met. By being able to direct my colleagues to the resources and information that protect us all, nurses can advocate appropriately for themselves and their patients without the necessity for conflict.’
She emphasises that ‘it’s okay to be angry when things go wrong or aren’t fair, but the real power comes from being able to DO something about it by knowing your rights.’
For Sophie, the best thing about being an ANMF Job Rep is that she gets to see the changes that come about from members speaking up.
‘Every small change to improve working conditions has come from issues being raised by members, progressing to discussion at the Delegates Conference, and in some cases, being passed into law!
The Safe Patient Care Act and protected nursing and midwifery ratios are now law thanks to ANMF members, and it’s creating change across the world.’
