Prison nurses walk off the job

The local nurses were part of a group of approximately 60 employees in medical clinics in 11 prisons across Victoria taking part in the protected industrial action, which follows 18 months of negotiations between the Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch) and GEO Care Australia, which manages the prisons.

ANF regional industrial relations organiser Allan Townsend said the two parties had reached a stalemate over the date the 2.5 per cent wage increase is to be introduced, along with the introduction of entitlements that are industry standard for all other Victorian nurses.

"There is no real issue about the pay rise offered this is more about the entitlements and the entitlements for prison nurses are below the health industry standards," he said.

"The issue is around the payments of higher duties, long service leave entitlements and the way of treatment in terms of public holiday rates.

"GEO Care Australia are the people with this contract and their response has pretty much been the same all along - This is what we are offering."

Mr Townsend said that while ANF has not yet heard what the next step will be from GEO Care Australia, he expected a vote on conditions to be carried out.

"These bans will continue until industrial standard entitlements for prison nurses are brought up to the same level as other nurses across the state," he said.

"There is the potential for more stop work action in the future, but currently bans are being implemented which include not carrying out higher duties, not doing overtime work, not doing some administration work and wearing the 'respect our work rights' t-shirts."

Mr Townsend said some nurses remained on site during the stop work action to ensure client care and safety, however all nurses at Ararat and Langi Kal Kal support the ban.