Since members voted overwhelmingly to accept the 2024-2028 public sector nurses and midwives agreement, ANMF (Vic Branch) have been checking in with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) regularly for updates on progress.
While waiting for the Commission process to be completed – the delay is frustrating for everyone! – we were simultaneously lobbying the Allan government to agree to begin paying the new rates and backpay before formal FWC approval if necessary.
This is called administrative approval. It occurred with the 2020 EBA. Essentially, it acknowledges that payment will happen regardless of when FWC approval occurs, so it may as well happen sooner rather than later.
Happily, the government has agreed to do this.
Public sector members were sent a campaign update (#30) last Friday with the details.
While all questions about your pay should be directed to your payroll department as a first step, the Branch has created a 2024 pay rates table to assist you in checking your payslips to make sure your new pay rate, allowances and backpay are correct.
There are two 2024 wage increases that will be backdated to the following dates:
- 15 June 2024
- First Full Pay Period On Or After (FFPPOOA) 1 July 2024
When you receive your first payslip with the new rates, if you are eligible to receive a back payment of wages, this should be clearly listed on your payslip – for example as ‘backpay’.
Why is FWC approval taking so long?
The Fair Work Commission is a federal body. ANMF has no control over its processes or timeframes. I want to assure members, however, that the delay is procedural and not about the validity of the agreement. There is no concern that approval won’t be given.
When approval is granted, the full agreement – inclusive of the historic pay rise, and all the new and improved allowances, working conditions and entitlements – will become enforceable seven days later.
