Sign The Petition to Fair Work Australia
Call on Fair Work Australia to take positive steps to address the low rates of pay and conditions of employment that apply to practice nurses employed in medical centres and clinics throughout Australia.
Please support the ANF's application to Fair Work Australia to assist centre employers and nurses to achieve fair wages and conditions by signing the petition at the link below.
Inspiring message of support
Here is a message from one nurse urging her colleagues to get involved in the campaign:
“My witness statement is attached. Even practice managers think we are wasting our time! Lets unite and prove them wrong....... I want to say to my children - I remember when we only got paid pittance ...but now look at us.
GOOD LUCK
Xxxx”
AMA opposes fair wages for practice nurses
Read more here.
Dates of hearing
A further notice will be sent to all employers shortly advising of tribunal hearings in the week commencing 25 June 2012.
In the meantime, the ANF in consultation with practice nurses will be preparing its submissions and evidence to ensure a successful outcome. A copy of the directions and dates of the hearing is available here.
GPs urged to reject ANF enterprise claims
AMA president Dr Steve Hambleton has urged GPs to join the fight against the Australian Nursing Federation’s push to impose enterprise agreements, which the AMA claims would drive up the cost of employing nursing staff. | Read article
Fair Work Australia convenes a conference
On 19 December 2011 Fair Work Australia convened the first conference in response to the ANF application for a low paid bargaining authorisation on behalf of practice nurses.
The purpose of the conference was to bring the parties together to discuss the scheduling of formal hearings in 2012. At the conference, practice nurses were represented by ANF and there were a number of employers and employer organisations representing medical practices. These included the AMA, the Victorian Hospital Industrial Association , Australian Business Industrial and a number of consultants acting on behalf of individual medical clinics.
At the conference, the ANF proposed a time table of hearings to commence in March 2012. In response the employers argued that they needed more time to consult and to survey their members to obtain instructions on their response to the application. Unfortunately their arguments prevailed and the hearing has been put back to June 2012.
The ANF is concerned that some employer groups may recommend their client use this time to promote individual flexibility agreements and place pressure on practice nurses to accept changes to their existing terms and conditions as a way of moving their clients out of the application.
Practice nurses are reminded that there are strict penalties for anyone who uses duress on employees to accept individual flexibility arrangements. Should you be approached by your employer, you are strongly advised to discuss the approach with your ANF Branch representative.
Historic application filed on behalf of practice nurses
On 11 November 2011, the Australian Nursing Federation filed an application with Fair Work Australia as the first formal step in seeking to improve the wages and working conditions of nursing staff employed in medical centres and clinics.
This follows an unsuccessful attempt in July 2011 to engage employer organisations in new collective bargaining arrangements in respect of practice nurses. A copy of the application including the draft practice nurse collective agreement is available here.
It is expected that the application will be listed for hearing before Fair Work Australia in the near future.
Get behind the ANF campaign for improvements in the wages and working conditions of practice nurses
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) is campaigning to improve the wages and working conditions of practice nurses employed in medical centres and clinics.
This campaign is seeking to engage with employers in an effort to convince them to reach enterprise bargaining agreements with their practice nurses that will:
- provide fair wages and reasonable conditions of employment
- introduce a new classification and career path that rewards increased responsibilities
- provide support for practice nurse education and professional development
ANF Medical Centres and Clinic Claims
- Read the ANF list of claims
Complete the Survey
The practice nurse survey has been prepared to assist the ANF gather up to date informaton about the working conditions of practice nurses.
It will also identify nurses who wish to be actively involved in the campaign.
The survey is annoymous and strictly confidential and should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Click here to complete the survey
Register as a supporter
The campaign to improve the wages and working conditions of practice nurses will require your ongoing support. While the response from practice nurses to the ANF campaign has been overwhelmingly positive, it will be necessary for the ANF to identify individuals and groups of nurses who are prepared to provide direct support and assistance in the campaign.
If you would like to get involved in the campaign or would like further information about this issue, please contact our Senior Industrial Officer, Nick Blake on (03) 9602 8500 or email industrial@anf.org.au
Further information
