Tina's comment " we all know the ANF's position on the B Mid !!!" needs some comment. [I hesitate to do this, as I cannot speak for ANF or anyone else other than myself - but here goes!]
ANF has negotiated award pay rates for nurses working for employers. Midwives come under that award in the current pay structure. When a person graduates from a course as a midwife, (Grad Dip or B Mid) and is employed in a hospital as a midwife, the pay rate is applied whether the person is a member of ANF or not, and whether ANF agrees with B Mid or not. Anything new (such as B Mid) is going to arouse some pessimistic response, and it's up to the students and the courses to prove their worth. There is a good article by a recent B Mid graduate, Carole Bastian, in Birth Matters Vol 5.3 Sept 2001. Carole is a mature woman who graduated in 1997 in Germany, and has been getting work in Melbourne maternity hospitals. B Mid graduates will need to show employers that they are worth their salt. Any new grad needs to do that. If B Mid midwives want to set up private practice, they will join a small group who struggle for our very existence. Not many people are able to make a reasonable income as midwives in private practice. Recent negotiations with ANF in Victoria have resulted in support by ANF for a Maternity Coalition proposal for community based midwifery to be available throughout the State. The model for this proposal is the WA community midwifery. If anyone wants to do something really positive, you could write a letter to Lisa Fitzpatrick, the Vic State Secretary of ANF (Box 12600 A'Beckett St PO, Melbourne Vic 8006) and tell her that you support the community midwifery proposal. Also the same letter to the Health Minister, Hon John Thwaites. The Health department is currently considering the proposal. Many thanks Joy Johnston 25 Eley Rd Blackburn South Vic 3130 Tel: 03 9808 9614 Fax: 03 9808 3611 M: 04111 90448 www.aitex.com.au/joy.htm -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 11:27 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: further to the 12 hour shift << File: ATT00003.htm >> In a message dated 16/01/02 4:25:33 PM AUS Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > To the aspiring midwives who inquire about pay rates may I humbly suggest > contacting the various registration boards and the associated state, dare I > say it, Nursing unions around Australia to see exactly where 'they' view > direct entry midwives in relation to pay scales, employment opportunities > and accountability. Sorry but that's the system in place at present. > I have heard whispers from some noted quarters 'not on par with registered > nurse/midwife but along with enrolled nurse level' which is rather unkind. > Hi Barb and all, thanks for the info and advice Barb. But from past postings on this list I think we all know the ANF's position on the B Mid !!! As to what I will be paid as a B Mid Graduate ???? Who knows ??? Its only just really occurred to me that at the end of my study, someone may actually pay me then for the 'work' I do !!! Industrialised/unionised midwifery isn't something I have alot of knowledge of and experience with (you can say that again.... I hear a few of you whisper). The B Mid situation I feel is quite unique so I would imagine current nursing awards as they stand may not be applicable. However having said that, there are some non-nurse midwives from OS working here in Australia already. So something must have been negotiated somewhere along the line for these midwives ?? What I invisage in the future is many B Mid graduates/midwives negotiating their own contractual arrangements with their prospective employers by way of annualised salaries for their respective 'caseloads'. Yours in birth, Tina Pettigrew Birthworks Independent CBE and aspiring B.Mid Midwife. Convenor, Aust B. Mid Student Collective. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BMidStudentCollective [EMAIL PROTECTED] " As we trust the flowers to open to new life - So we can trust birth" Harriette Hartigan. ------------------------------------------------------------------- -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
