South Australia’s public sector nurses and midwives have overwhelmingly rejected the state government’s current pay offer, with the matter now set to be determined through arbitration.
A majority of participating ANMF (SA Branch) members voted not to accept the final offer of a 16% pay rise over three years put forward as part of the Enterprise Bargaining process.
In response to the ballot outcome, the South Australian Government has indicated it will pursue arbitration before the South Australian Employment Tribunal to resolve the matter.
Speaking outside Modbury Hospital last Thursday, ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars thanked members for voting in the ballot, saying their voices had been heard.
“Our members have made their choice and we respect that decision,” Ms Dabars said.
“Nurses and midwives have carefully considered the offer and determined that it does not adequately address the issues they believe are important for their professions, their workplaces and the safe delivery of care across South Australia.”
Ms Dabars said the ANMF (SA Branch) had been actively preparing for the possibility of arbitration and will continue to advocate strongly for nurses and midwives throughout the process.
Under arbitration, the South Australian Employment Tribunal will consider submissions and evidence from both parties, conduct formal hearings and hear from witnesses, before making a binding decision on the enterprise agreement.
“Our legal team has been actively preparing for this possibility, and significant work is already underway to ensure we present the strongest possible case,” Ms Dabars said.
“In the coming weeks, we will work closely with members across metropolitan, regional and remote South Australia to identify witnesses and gather evidence to support our case.
“The experiences of nurses and midwives on the frontline will be critical in demonstrating the realities of contemporary practice, workforce pressures, increasing complexity of care, professional responsibilities and the issues that remain unresolved.”
