The South Australia Nursing Enterprise Agreement (SANE) is a crucial agreement that outlines the working conditions, entitlements, and remuneration of nurses across public health facilities in South Australia. The agreement governs the employment conditions of more than 20,000 nursing staff members, including registered nurses, midwives, and enrolled nurses.
The original SANE agreement was signed in 2010 and expired in 2012. Since then, negotiations have been ongoing between the South Australian Government and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) to finalize a new agreement that reflects the evolving needs of the nursing workforce.
In late 2020, after months of negotiations, the South Australian government and ANMF signed a new SANE agreement which has brought an end to the long-running industrial dispute. The agreement, which will run until 2022, includes several improvements to working conditions and entitlements for nurses.
One of the significant improvements under the new agreement is the introduction of a better work-life balance for nurses. Nurses will be able to work flexible hours, allowing them to balance their work and personal life better. Also, nurses who are required to work on weekends and public holidays will receive additional remuneration, reflecting their sacrifice to work during these times.
Another important aspect of the new agreement is improved job security for nurses. The agreement includes a guarantee of no forced redundancies, which will provide nurses with a sense of security in their roles and the ability to plan for their futures with more confidence.
The new SANE agreement also includes a pay rise for nurses, with an increase of 2.35% per annum. This will provide a welcome boost to the income of nurses who have been working on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In summary, the South Australia Nursing Enterprise Agreement is a crucial agreement that governs the working conditions, entitlements, and remuneration of nurses across public health facilities in South Australia. The new agreement signed in 2020 includes several improvements to working conditions, entitlements, and job security for nurses, as well as a pay rise. The agreement provides a sense of security for nurses and improves their work-life balance, which will help nurses to provide high-quality care to patients in the South Australian public health system.