New ANF boss Romina Raschilla wants pay deal by Christmas, to avoid election fight

The new boss of the WA Nurses Union does not want prolonged wage negotiations to drag into next year’s election campaign, despite scuttling the State Government’s first offer to members. Speaking to the media on Wednesday after rejecting the 12.25 per cent pay rise over three years, Australian Nurses Federation State secretary Romina Raschilla said she expected another offer from the Government before Christmas. While members had demanded 20 per cent in their log of claims, Ms Raschilla said she would work with the Government to get as close as they could to the ambitious figure. “After extensive consultation with its members over the last few weeks, I have been visiting hospitals and workplaces in the metropolitan and the regional areas and from the conversations I’ve had with our members, the sentiment is clear and unanimous that we can do better,” she said. “I believe that the State Government want to work with us to finalise something before Christmas. “I’m hoping to settle it before so hopefully it won’t be a major election issue.” Ms Raschilla, who took over as state secretary last month after Mark Olson was removed by the WA’s industrial watchdog, said the Union wanted to avoid industrial action in the lead up to a second offer from comment. The ANF’s decision came as Police offices started voting on their third offer from Government, which lifted wages to by 12.75 per cent over three years — up from 11.5 per cent from the first pay claim. The Government also increase shift allowances by 35 per cent, and backdated pay rises to July 1. On Monday, outgoing Police Union president Paul Gale said the new offer was “reasonable”, with Union insiders predicting the offer would be approved by members.