The Tasmanian Government has put wage offers on the table for the state’s nurses and midwives; firefighters, medical practitioners, education facility attendants and correctional officers.
It said “comprehensive, fair and sustainable packages” have been offered, including wage increases over three years of 3.0% in Year 1; 2.75% in Year 2; and 2.5% in Year 3.
In addition to the salary increases, most offers include further base salary adjustments during the life of the agreements, as well as new allowances and improvements to conditions that reflect the needs of individual workforces.
”We have worked collaboratively to address a number of issues raised through the unions’ logs of claims,” said Premier, Jeremy Rockliff.
The Premier said all offers were the outcome of extensive negotiations and constructive engagement with unions.
”Throughout the bargaining process, Government negotiators have worked to develop packages that recognise the valuable contribution of employees while remaining fair and affordable,” he said.
”We want to see nurses and midwives, firefighters, medical practitioners, correctional officers and education facility attendants receive fair and affordable pay rises, as well as improved conditions and allowances.
”We look forward to unions providing employees with the opportunity to consider the offers provided, with a response expected by November 13.”
The pay offers include:
Nurses and Midwives:
- Further new targeted allowances;
- A shared commitment to develop legislation around staffing ratios;
- Classification structural reform;
- Increasing the rest period between shifts;
- A review to focus on enhancements to early career support programs, including mentoring, clinical support and the nursing education framework; and
- Nurses in the Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units and Mental Health Service will also have access to five personal impact days, given these areas have a higher risk of consistent exposure to trauma and critical incidents.
Firefighters:
- Targeted structural adjustments designed to maintain an appropriate framework that reflects the unique operational requirements, responsibilities and elements of relativities associated with firefighting roles.
Medical Practitioners:
- Improved terms including specific service for parental leave recognition;
- North and North West recruitment and retention allowance; and
- 10-hour minimum break between rostered shifts.
Correctional Officers:
- Structural and relativity adjustments and improved terms including new allowances;
- Expansion of meal allowance; and
- Critical incident leave.
Education Facility Attendants:
- Structural salary reform;
- Workforce development;
- Equipment and training initiatives;
- A review of cleaning and grounds resourcing arrangements;
- Improved maintenance and asset-management arrangements; and
- Additional classification and career progression opportunities.
