The Guardian 14 November, 2007
Tasmanian nurses
give government "48 hours’ notice"
At an Australian Nursing Federation Tasmanian Branch membership meeting of 200 nurses held last Friday at the Launceston General Hospital, members voted to temporarily suspend the industrial bans for a 48 hour period as a show of good faith to enable the Government to forward a revised offer to nurses.
Neroli Ellis, Branch Secretary said that nurses remain disappointed at the lack of urgency displayed by this Government, however are keen to do everything possible to resolve this dispute. "Nurses believe the dispute has already dragged on too long and have endorsed an industrial ban free zone of 48 hours to enable the Government to show good faith by providing an offer.
"This process has been very one sided to date with the Government only offering one offer in six months. Nurses have provided counter positions which have all been rejected. Hopefully, the Government will negotiate seriously and in good faith in order to resolve this dispute."
Regional meetings of nurses continue with a meeting at the Mersey Hospital on the weekend and later at NWRH.
"If all nurses statewide endorse the resolution, then bans will be suspended directly following the RHH meeting on Monday", said Ms Ellis. "This will enable intensive negotiations to occur, conciliated through the Tasmanian Industrial Commission. It is anticipated that the 48 hours will enable serious negotiation to occur so that a reasonable offer can be taken back to members for their consideration."