The WA government has applied to the state's industrial umpire for help to resolve its ongoing and escalating dispute over pay and conditions for nurses and midwives.
The government has agreed to implement nurse-to-patient ratios within the next two years – a key demand of the Australian Nursing Federation – but has so far stood firm on its pay deal.
That delivers all public sector workers a $3,000 cost of living bonus, as well as the greater of a three-per-cent a year pay rise, or an extra $60 a week.
ANF members on Wednesday voted to reject that offer and continue escalating industrial action, which includes rejecting overtime and double shifts, as well as closing beds over a ward's capacity.
The union has been campaigning for a 10 per cent pay rise – after members voted to demand the higher figure – despite union officials acknowledging such a result was unlikely.
In a statement, Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston said the government had applied to the Industrial Relations Commission "for their help in resolving the ongoing negotiations".
It is understood the tension centres around the union's approach to the bargaining process, rather than the industrial action it is taking.
"The Department of Heath has been trying to get to agreement with the ANF but we haven't been able to [do] so," Mr Johnston said.
"As is sometimes the case, it's helpful to get the commission to aid the bargaining.
"Even [though the] government feels it has moved very considerably in responding to issues raised by the ANF in bargaining, we haven't found agreement.
"Therefore seeking the help of the commission is a sensible step.
"We hope that the involvement of the WAIRC can assist, as we would also really like to provide the $3,000 cost of living payment into the pockets of nurses and midwives by Christmas."
Both sides close to reaching agreement: ANF
ANF secretary Janet Reah has written to Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson to say the union is available to continue negotiations over the weekend.
"We remain committed to resolving this EBA," Ms Reah wrote.
ANF chief executive Mark Olson said the union had no worries about entering the Industrial Relations Commission.
"I've been to industrial commission hearings that go to well into the wee small hours of the morning, if necessary," Mr Olson told ABC Radio Perth.
"We did that in 2013 and in previous years.
"So I think that the government is going through the motions at the moment, they might get a bit more serious.
"They know that the business end of the industrial action starts in about a week and a half."
"The business end is when I'm going to start closing beds, like one-in-five beds, the business end includes when our members start engaging in rolling stoppages.
"And, right at the very end of the business end, is when our members go on an indefinite strike. That's when things get pretty serious."
Speaking before the union was dragged to the commission, Mr Olson said both sides were close to reaching agreement, with exactly how to implement nurse-to-patient ratios a key sticking point.
"We just need a number that we can say to our nurses this is what you're going to be working under and this is what's going to be enforceable for the next however long, five months, two years, it takes the government to work out their WA ratio model," he said.
"They're attacking the union rather than looking at why the nurses are unhappy with the government's offer."
The latest escalation comes after Ms Sanderson yesterday accused the union of running one campaign at the bargaining table, and another one with its members.
"We have actually negotiated line-by-line the ratios clause that was sent out as part of the offer, and had line-by-line agreement from the ANF on that clause," she said.
"So it is a little disingenuous for the ANF to suggest to their membership that they continue industrial action when they agreed to the clause in negotiations."
Mr Olson rejected those suggestions today
"We're polite people, we're professional, we're competent. We don't bang the table, we don't yell and scream across the table," he said.
"Our negotiations are done in a very professional manner but don't misunderstand that as somehow being in agreement."
Both sides are due to appear before the Commission on Monday afternoon.
