The Victorian Public Sector Nurses & Midwives Enterprise Agreement is presently undergoing negotiations, with the Nurses Professional Association of Victoria (NPAV) actively participating in the process. Join us as we hear directly from our Industrial Officer, Adam Collyer, about the ongoing negotiations, their current stage, and how you can contribute to securing improved terms for Victorian Nurses.
Thank you for joining us today, Adam. Could you start by introducing yourself and explaining your role in the EBA process?
Adam: Of course. My name is Adam Collyer, and I serve as one of the negotiators and Industrial Officers representing various branches of NPAA involved in enterprise bargaining.
Can you give us an overview of the current stage of the EBA negotiations you're involved in?
Adam: Certainly. We're currently focusing on the public nurse's enterprise agreement in Victoria. Negotiations began in late 2023. We have engaged with the employer representative, the VHIA - the Victorian Hospitals’ Industrial Association, which represents the different public health services in Victoria.
It sounds like there have been challenges in the negotiation process. Could you elaborate on those?
Adam: Absolutely. One significant challenge is the limitations imposed by the Victorian state government's wages policy, which restricts the capacity for meaningful wage increases beyond a predetermined percentage. This has made it difficult to make progress on elements of the agreement that have an associated cost.
What are the objectives of our campaign in light of these challenges?
Adam: Our objective is to advocate for a change in the state government's wage policy to allow for more reasonable offers. We're also experiencing similar challenges in negotiations within other sectors, such as Victorian Paramedics, and we're striving for a better outcome for both Nurses and Paramedics.
Can you explain the process of taking protected industrial action and its implications?
Adam: Certainly. If bargaining representatives have failed to reach agreement after making genuine attempts, an application can be made to the Fair Work Commission for protected industrial action. With respect to the Victorian Public Nurses EA, the ANMF has filed an application for a protected action ballot, which, if approved, allows their members to vote on taking protected industrial action. This could include various measures to express dissatisfaction and push for change, which forms part of a strategy to leverage collective power for a fairer deal.
How are you engaging with your members throughout this process?
Adam: We've been conducting surveys to gather member feedback and recently held a meeting to discuss developments. We're in the process of finalising our log of claims and plan to further engage with VHIA soon. We encourage members to officially appoint us as their representatives to strengthen our position at the bargaining table.
Is there a deadline for members to nominate you as their representative?
Adam: Not really. However, the sooner they nominate us, the better. It ensures we can represent their interests effectively throughout the process. Members can nominate us by filling the EBA Representation Request form.
How do members stay informed if they choose not to officially nominate you?
Adam: We provide regular updates to members who have engaged with us directly. While official nomination strengthens our representation, all members can participate in discussions and have their voices heard.
Are there any challenges unique to this negotiation process that you'd like to highlight?
Adam: One significant challenge is the lack of authority among employer representatives to make meaningful changes to the wage offer, or claims which carry an additional cost. It creates a cumbersome negotiation process and limits progress towards a fair agreement.
Thank you, Adam, for sharing insights into the EBA negotiations and your campaign efforts.
Adam: You're welcome. If you need further information or updates, feel free to reach out to our hotline on (03) 7067 8388 or email hotline@npav.asn.au
To find out more about NPAV and become protected today visit: npav.redunion.com.au/join