Nurses to vote on pay offer

Geelong nurses will meet this week to consider a pay offer from the state government.

The Victorian branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation is putting the offer forward to its members for consideration.

The government has offered a 28.4 per cent (compounded) wage rise over four years, but is subject to approval from cabinet and union members.

Nurses will meet in Melbourne on Wednesday to discuss the offer, while Geelong will be one of eight satellite venues.

Branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said members were looking for an offer that respected the work they did.

“We believe this offer protects our current career structure and will significantly help to retain and recruit a permanent nursing and midwifery workforce and rebuild our health system,” she said.

“The offer also retains all of the new and improved allowances and penalties and improved terms and conditions in the earlier offer.”