Tas Opposition calls for urgent nurse negotiations

The Tasmanian Opposition wants the Government to return to negotiations with public hospital nurses as a matter of urgency.

The Government's latest employment offer has been unanimously rejected by nurses at the Launceston General Hospital.

A vote from nurses in the north-west is expected today, and from southern members of the Australian Nursing Federation in coming days.

The Opposition's Health spokesman, Brett Whiteley, says it's clear the Government has upset nurses, and widespread industrial action is now a possibility.

"Funnily enough in recent times the Government have limited wage increases to 2.5%, after they'd given another rise of 4.5% and beyond to a range of public service personnel," Mr Whiteley said.

"The nurses are feeling a little dejected that they've been left behind," he said.

The ANF says it'll put forward a counter offer covering wages and conditions for the next year.

Article from abc.net.au/news