Vic: Another health union threatens massive action = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2000
Vic: Another health union threatens massive action = 2

Later Health Minister John Thwaites said the state government's policy was a nine per
cent pay rise over three years across the public sector.

"If a greater wage payment is made to nurses it's likely the same demands will be made
by other health workers and right across the public sector," he said.

Mr Thwaites said he understood the general recruitment problems in nursing and the
government had attempted to respond to that aspect of the Australian Nursing Federation's
claim.

He said the $63 million the government had allocated to the claim contained $30 million
for improving nurses conditions, in addition to the nine per cent rise.

He said 200 additional nurses would be employed to improve workloads.

In addition there would be 1,000 additional paid study leave places, an extension of
paid professional development leave and better career advancement opportunities through
the creation of clinical nurse specialists and higher grade positions.

Mr Thwaites said the government's offer was 40 per cent better than the former Kennett
government had given nurses in their last EBA.

"We're always prepared to talk to the nurses," he said.

"We have just increased our offer on Monday and they've not indicated they're willing
to accept anything other than their claim."

AAP hmg/jlw/mk/bwl

KEYWORD: HEALTH VIC 2 MELBOURNE (REOPENS)

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