ANMF can confirm outstanding clauses were finalised and agreed by all parties, and provided to Clayton Utz lawyers to make these agreed changes and review any identified outstanding drafting matters. A final draft has since been provided to all parties from Clayton Utz on 4 March with minor comments seeking clarification from all parties to finalise the agreement to then go to ballot.
ANMF has committed to promptly reviewing the final draft and addressing any outstanding items, as like our members, we are frustrated at the time taken to progress this agreement. This is entirely consistent with the process for finalising the Nurses and Midwives EBA.
Prior to receiving the draft, ANMF had proposed a tight timeline* to all parties as follows:
- Friday 4 March: final draft completed by Clayton Utz and sent to all parties
- Friday 18 March: all parties reach agreement on final draft
- Monday 21 March: access period opens until 28 March
- Tuesday 29 March: ballot opens until midnight 3 April
- Monday 4 April: result declared and application submission
*ANMF proposal only. Not confirmed and dates are subject to change
Whilst we note the Victorian Hospitals’ Industrial Association (VHIA) has agreed to working towards the above timeline, ANMF is still waiting for confirmation from Department of Health representatives on how government approval of the final agreement will impact on this proposed timeline.
Members can be assured ANMF will continue to place pressure on all parties to ensure so we can proceed to ballot and the formal Fair Work Commission approval process as soon as possible.
ANMF will provide a comprehensive update with frequently asked questions to all members, prior to the proposed enterprise bargaining agreement going to a ballot of all public sector mental health employees covered by the agreement.
ANMF will also hold virtual members’ meetings during the access period (when confirmed) to discuss the proposed agreement and give members opportunities to ask any questions.
Forensicare update
Forensicare drafting meetings commenced on 2 March 2022, with ANMF, Forensicare, VHIA, Department of Health, HACSU, Victorian Psychologists Association in attendance.
As members would be aware, Forensicare’s offer included the ANMF claim for additional nursing EFT. This EFT claim was based on feedback from members during our Forensicare member survey and member meetings in 2021. ANMF has put forward a proposed allocation to HACSU and we are waiting their response by Friday 11 March.
ANMF is seeking an expediated process for drafting following completion of the general mental health agreement.
The next drafting meeting for Forensicare is Wednesday 23 March.
