A barbecue organised by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Association Federation (ANMF) and the Ballarat Trades Hall for staff at Bupa’s Ballarat aged care home was cut short by Council because the group did not have a permit for their gathering.
As we covered here last week, Bupa staff have been taking industrial action against the provider across VIC.
ANMF Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick told the local paper they believe the complaint to council came from Bupa.
“We did anticipate it because Bupa had indicated to one of our staff they would be contacting councils to prevent us from holding any activities on the footpath,” she said.
“It’s … the first time in federation’s history that it has happened.”
A Bupa spokesperson has denied any involvement however. “We respect our people’s choice to take part in union-led activity, as they have at a number of locations around Victoria today,” they said.
It does prove how coordinated the ANMF now is in targeting providers – and how determined they are to continue their attack.
