Vic: Talks resume on nurses' dispute

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2004
Vic: Talks resume on nurses' dispute

Talks have begun in Melbourne in an effort to resolve a dispute that has closed more
than 900 public hospital beds in Victoria and forced the cancellation of more than 200
operations.

The main issue in the dispute is the government's push to abolish the current ratio
of five nurses for every 20 patients in the state's hospitals.

Nurses are also seeking an eight per cent annual pay rise, while the government has
offered three per cent.

Australian Nursing Federation state secretary LISA FITZPATRICK says it's too early
to say if there's any end in sight to the dispute.

AAP RTV mf/wjf

KEYWORD: NURSES VIC TALKS (MELBOURNE)

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