Nurses cleared to take industrial action in dispute with council

NURSES could soon take protected industrial action against the City of Greater Geelong over working conditions.

The Australian Electoral Commission on Tuesday declared maternal and child health nurses had voted in favour of having the right to take action against the council.

The ballot of union members is required under the Fair Work Act before protected industrial action can be taken.

The move means about 40 nurses will be protected by law if take industrial action.

The vote was the result of a long-running dispute over a new enterprise bargaining agreement between the city and the nurses, particularly around leave entitlements, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victoria branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said.

“Maternal and child health nurses only ever take industrial action as a last resort and this ballot is a reflection on the City of Greater Geelong Council’s inability to recognise, value or reward their work,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.

“We’re seeking basic safety net conditions that a number of the surrounding local government areas already provide.

“The extra week’s annual leave is designed to attract and keep a highly qualified and highly skilled maternal and child health nursing workforce, which is critical to the care of new local mothers and babies in the days, weeks and early years after birth.”

The City of Greater Geelong confirmed it had received a notification of the protected action ballot.

“We are currently reviewing any potential impact that the industrial action may have on the city’s maternal and child health service,” executive manager of people and organisational development Andrew Keen said.

“After 16 months of negotiations, we have been unable to reach an agreement with the ANMF regarding their claim to increase annual leave.

“The City’s most recent offer to consider the claim for five weeks annual leave . . . has been rejected by the ANMF.”