28 November 2011 - 5.15 pm
Statewide members meeting postponed from Wednesday 30 November 2011 until Friday 2 December 2011
1. FWA conciliation talks continue and statewide members meeting postponed
ANF wrote to Premier Ted Baillieu earlier today seeking to establish a negotiation process through Fair Work Australia that could resolve all matters including nurse/midwife patient ratios. A copy of this letter is available on our website www.anfvic.asn.au and will appear in full page advertisements in tomorrow's The Age and Herald Sun newspapers.
Conciliation talks continued this afternoon with the assistance of Commissioner Gooley. The ANF has continued to participate in these proceedings. As a result of matters discussed at FWA today, ANF has decided to reschedule the statewide members meeting from 30 November 2011 until Friday 2 December 2011 at 2pm at Festival Hall. It is our view that a longer period of time for conciliation to continue may be beneficial in the conduct of these difficult negotiations. Had today's conciliation not demonstrated any progress, ANF would have continued with the meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
In exercising this judgement, a range of factors have been considered including the terms of the resolution passed at our meeting on 21 November 2011 providing for discretion for the ANF (Vic Branch) in determining the date of any statewide members meeting.
Members are encouraged to attend the Statewide Members Meeting on Friday 2 December at 2pm, Festival Hall. This meeting will provide an update on all events since the last meeting on Monday 21 November 2011.
Members must provide proof of their ANF membership to be admitted to the meeting. Please bring your membership card so you can immediately enter Festival Hall. In the event you do not have your card, please call ANF Membership before Friday's meeting and ask for your membership number and make sure you are able to quote it on Friday. Members should note that a slightly different arrangement will apply for entry to the meeting on 2 December 2011.
Please note that restrictions concerning utilisation of mobile phones during the members meeting will apply - reasons for this decision will be advised at the meeting and are designed to protect the interests of ANF members.
2. Industrial action - FWA order
ANF members have fully complied with the orders issued by Fair Work Australia on Friday 24 November 2011.
3. Bed closures/theatre postponement
Members have expressed concern at the characterisation of the protected industrial action as endangering the health, safety and welfare of the community. As members are aware, the ANF (Vic Branch) is seeking a judicial review in the Federal Court of the decision of the Full Bench of FWA (which is still to be published). The concern expressed by members relates to their knowledge that bed closures and surgery postponement are, in fact, a regular occurrence across the Victorian public health system.
ANF members are requested to continually update the ANF Vic Branch) of ongoing bed closures and surgery postponement - please email information to the ANF (Vic Branch) concerning these matters to records@anfvic.asn.au
This information will assist the ANF (Vic Branch) in publicly informing the Victorian community of the pressure the system is under.
4. Central Victoria nurses and midwives rally - Thursday 1 December, 11.30am, Bendigo Hospital
This community rally to save and improve nurse/midwife ratios will meet outside Bendigo Hospital, Barnard Street on Thursday 1 December at 11.30 am. Join the rally as it heads to Civic Gardens.
