Registration of enterprise agreement for metro hospital nurses with AIRC

4/12/98

Nurses in Western Australia's metropolitan hospitals will receive a pre-Christmas bonus following the registration of an enterprise agreement with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

Health Minister John Day said the registration followed the acceptance of the agreement by a majority of nurses through a postal vote.

"The new agreement, which was registered in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on November 26, can be characterised as a 'win/win' situation as it provides a number of benefits for both parties," Mr Day said.

"The agreement allows for a 10.5 per cent pay increase over a period of just two years and eight months.

"The first increase of 4.5 per cent will be paid retrospectively to January 1 this year and is to be included in the nurses' pay packets before Christmas."

The next pay increase of three per cent will be due in July 1999 and the final three per cent increase payable from July 2000.

Under the agreement, accrued days off will be retained for full-time staff, but will not be available for part-time staff and graduates and penalty rates will no longer be paid on sick leave.

Mr Day said following the agreement in the metropolitan area, discussions with rural health services and country based nurses could now be taken further.

"The metropolitan agreement will be used as a framework to begin negotiations in rural areas, with the flexibility to alter some conditions with a view to attracting and retaining nurses in rural areas," he said.

Media contact: Mark Thompson 9213 6600