Australian
Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick has called on
Premier Baillieu to end the nurses' and midwives' dispute when he returns from his
Indian trade trip.
From
tomorrow 12 hospitals across Victoria will take part in the twice daily
stoppages of up to four hours. Bendigo Hospital, Austin Hospital and Monash
Medical Centre Clayton will join the industrial action from 8am tomorrow.
"Resolving
this dispute and restoring confidence in Victoria's public hospitals must be at
the top of Mr Baillieu's return from India to do list," Ms Fitzpatrick said.
"Victorians
expect their leaders to lead and with power comes responsibility. Mr Baillieu can
end this now by agreeing to a senior tribunal member from Fair Work Australia resolving
all of the issues including ratios," she said.
It
has been 109 days since conciliation talks between the parties began in Fair
Work Australia. ANF wants the stronger conciliation process, proposed last
Wednesday by Federal Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten , with an agreed senior
tribunal member who can resolve all issues including ratios.
About
1000 nurses and midwives participated in stoppages this morning outside Geelong,
Frankston, Northern, Royal Melbourne, Dandenong, Western Hospital, Ballarat,
Maroondah and St Vincent's hospitals. Stoppages will take place outside these nine
hospitals again this afternoon from 5pm (times vary see below)
The
rolling stoppages of up to four hours will continue twice a day until there is
a resolution to the dispute. Three additional metropolitan or regional
hospitals will be announced every day.
Nurses
and midwives will leave night duty ratios on the ward. Night duty ratios
usually have half the number of nurses per patients compared to morning ratios.
Baillieu Government negotiators have confirmed night duty ratios are acceptable
morning and afternoon staffing levels under ‘ratios with flexibility'.
"I'd
like to thank Victorians for their overwhelming support for the nurses and
midwives outside hospitals and for their generous donations flowing into the hardship
fund," Ms Fitzpatrick.
More
than 17,000 have signed the change.org petition to Premier Baillieu to save
ratios at www.tiny.cc/online_petition
Monday 27
February 2012 media, photo/film opportunities
-
8am:
ANF (Vic Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick will support Monash Medical Centre,
Clayton nurses and midwives
-
8am:
ACTU President Ged Kearney will support Austin Hospital nurses
-
10am:
ANF (Vic Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick will meet with Royal Melbourne
Hospital nurses, participating in the morning stoppage, and Royal Children's
Hospital nurses outside the Royal Children's Hospital (Flemington Road)
Monday 27
February 2012 stoppage times: nurses, midwives and mental health nurses will be
outside their hospitals
Austin
Hospital - 8am & 5pm
Bendigo
Hospital, inc Anne Caudle Ctre - 8am & 5.30pm
Monash
Medical Centre, Clayton - 8am & 5.30pm
Maroondah
Hospital - 8am & 6pm
Ballarat
Hospital - 8am & 5pm
St
Vincent's Hospital - 8am & 5pm
Frankston
Hospital - 8am & 5.30pm
Geelong
Hospital - 8am & 5pm
The
Northern Hospital - 8am & 6pm
Royal
Melbourne Hospital - 8am & 5.30pm
Dandenong
Hospital - 8am & 5.30pm
Western Hospital - 8am & 6pm
