Diabetes nurse educators escalate protected industrial action over fair pay

Stop work community rally Tuesday 18 July, 12 – 2pm outside Diabetes Victoria, 15-31 Pelham Street, Carlton.

Diabetes Victoria nurse educators will hold a second stop work community rally on Tuesday 18 July as part of their campaign to secure a pay rise after a four-year COVID-related wage freeze.

ANMF has also notified Diabetes Victoria of further stoppages this week which will affect Diabetes Victoria’s helpline, the DESMOND program which provides education and support for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and the OzDAFNE program which provides education and support for people with type 1 diabetes.

Enterprise bargaining negotiations have reached a stalemate between the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch) and Diabetes Victoria. The current EBA expired on 30 June 2020.

Diabetes Victoria diabetes nurse educators have not had a pay rise since 2019.

ANMF members began protected industrial action on 27 June to secure a fair pay rise and improved working conditions. Bans include wearing red campaign t-shirts and providing clients with campaign information.

Diabetes Victoria has offered a three per cent wage increase from October 2021, October 2022 and October 2023. Subsequently, from October 2023, this will mean that Diabetes Victoria nurse educators will be paid about eight per cent less than the equivalent public sector role.

ANMF (Vic Branch) Assistant Secretary Madeleine Harradence said: ‘Diabetes nurse educators are highly skilled nurses who assist people to manage their chronic condition and keep them well and out of hospital. They make a significant life-saving contribution to Diabetes Victoria’s clients, reduce preventable hospitalisations and improve quality of life.’

‘Management has shown a complete lack of respect by freezing wages for four years and then failing to offer increases that stay in line with public sector hospital nurse educators.

‘These nurses are taking protected industrial action with a heavy heart. We apologise in advance that there will be some inconvenience, but there will be no risk to clients who have been overwhelmingly supportive of this campaign,’ she said.

ANMF members are encouraging clients and the community to support the campaign by emailing Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan.

ANMF remains available to attend further negotiations with Diabetes Victoria to resolve this dispute.