South Australia's 19,000-strong nursing and midwifery workforce has voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Government's Enterprise Agreement offer, in a move that locks-in pay rises of 2% per annum over the next two years.
A two-week state-wide ballot, which ended last night, resulted in 95% of those nurses and midwives who returned a ballot voting in favour of the agreement.
Treasurer Rob Lucas welcomed the result as a 'resounding vote of confidence' in the Marshall Liberal Government's commitment to investing in our world-class health system and its expert workforce.
"We are delighted that our state's hardworking nurses and midwives have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Government's Enterprise Agreement offer, which gives exceptionally fair and reasonable salary increases and maintains current employment conditions," said Mr Lucas.
"We said all along that the taxpayers of South Australia simply couldn't afford the ANMF's original claims of 3.5% per annum salary increases, particularly at a time when inflation sits at around 2 per cent.
"Ultimately, this represents a sensible agreement for all parties.
"Our nurses and midwives have been on the frontline of our COVID-19 response and deserve our thanks for their tireless work, often in trying circumstances.
"This agreement is the culmination of months of robust negotiations and will ensure SA is well-placed to meet the ongoing health and wellbeing needs of all South Australians."
The Nursing/Midwifery (South Australian Public Sector) Enterprise Agreement 2020 provides for 2% annual increases paid from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2020, 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2022.
The Government will now proceed to the SA Employment Tribunal to formalise the agreement.
