Media release – Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF), 18 December 2024
Baptcare Karingal Staff Take Strike Action
The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) will today support members at Baptcare Karingal in taking stop work action in their pursuit of a fair and reasonable enterprise agreement that values staff and ensures a robust nursing and care workforce to look after vulnerable elderly residents.
ANMF Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said despite ongoing negotiations and members taking industrial action, Baptcare Karingal has to date offered members on average a pay rise of 95 cents.
“Baptcare has refused to entertain negotiations regarding a pay rise that will assist our members in a cost of living crisis and in the midst of a competitive market where nursing staff can get high paying jobs wherever they wish,” Ms Shepherd said.
“It is extremely concerning that Baptcare has failed to recognise their long serving staff and that it is their passion for aged care and their residents that keep them at Baptcare, because they care passionately about their residents.
“Yet, this passion doesn’t pay the bills.
“The fact that they are offering a pay rise of just 95 cents on average is not only disrespectful, but risks losing long standing employees.”
Ms Shepherd said in addition, just last week, Baptcare lodged a dispute in the Fair Work Commission, claiming that members who were distributing campaign badges and flyers in their own time at their workplace to their colleagues so as not to do so in their work time were taking unprotected industrial action.
“The Deputy Commissioner noted that these employees could do whatever they wanted in their own time.
“Yet, rather than recognise these members were doing this in their own time – rather than taking stop work action – as they have such regard for their residents, Baptcare have now launched disciplinary action.
“The ANMF is incredibly frustrated by Baptcare’s actions to date attacking members for taking reasonable actions to secure a fair EA offer that is in the best interests of residents.
“This really just reflects the poor culture and punitive approach that senior management at Baptare take with their valuable staff which is well out of step with best practice people and culture approaches.”
The ANMF urges Baptcare to re-consider its approach, drop the ridiculous disciplinary action and read the room.
“Baptcare needs to put an offer to members that values them and the work they do for such vulnerable and precious elderly community members.”
