Nurses and midwives in Victoria have reached a new pay deal, averting industrial action.
The Australian Nursery and Midwifery Federation Victorian branch and the state government have agreed to a new deal with pay rises between three and 20 per cent, depending on a nurse's grade, which brings them into line with their NSW counterparts.
"This has been a really historic outcome for Victorian nurses and midwives," ANMF state secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick told reporters on Thursday.
She says the deal reflects a new approach to enterprise bargaining in the state's health sector.
Negotiations over previous agreements resulted in nurses closing beds and striking, but not this year.
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"We can't believe things have been finalised without taking industrial action," Ms Fitzpatrick said.
"We really love that idea that we've been able to reach an agreement in peace."
She also had high praise for Health Minister Jill Hennessy and her role in helping both sides compromise.
"A minister of her word, and we like it," the union secretary said.
The current agreement ended on March 31, but nurses began negotiating a new deal in January.
The new eight-year agreement includes a base increase of 2.5 per cent a year in accordance with the government's fair pay guide, as well as changes to sick leave entitlements and a new career structure.
