Distributed to nurses during campaigning for improved wages and working conditions in the 1980s, probably during the historic 1986 Victorian 50-day nurses strike. The 'White' in 'WHITE LIES' refers to David Ronald White, who was a state M.P. and the Victorian Minister for Health from 1985-1989. David White regularly featured in Branch newsletters around the time of the strike, and was regularly portrayed as a magician, skilled in 'white magic' that made 'nurses wages disappear'. The Royal Australian Nursing Federation (RANF) became the Australian Nursing Federation in 1989, suggesting that this button is from the late 1980s.Circular blue and white plastic button. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Button printed with 'WHITE LIES = WAGE CASUALTIES' and 'R.A.N.F. [Royal Australian Nursing Federation] Vic. [Victoria]'.nursing, nurses, industrial action, strike action, unionism, david white, health minister, badges, victoria, buttons, pins, campaigning, protest, trade unions, labour history

Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members and staff as part of a 2003-2004 campaign to secure minimum nurse staffing in the public healthcare sector. The '5-4-20' denotes a minimum of five nurses for twenty patients in a general medical or surgical ward. During this period, staffing ratios were secured as part of bargaining negotiations between unions and employer groups. After decades of campaigning from the ANF/ANMF, ratios were legislated for the public sector in Victoria with the passing of the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient) Bill in 2015. This campaign was featured in ANF Victorian Branch newsletters from late 2003 to early 2004. Entitled the '5-4-20 campaign', it was officially launched on 19 November 2003. Advertisements and shirts from the time featured the slogan, '5 nurses for 20 patients. Nothing less!' along with the ANF logo and illustrations by The Age cartoonist Ron Tandberg. The campaign was to promote the role of minimum nurse to patient ratios in ensuring patient safety and encouraging nurse recruitment and retention.Circular yellow, blue and red badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with '5-4-20' and a blue and red triangle design.nursing, ratios, workforce, staffing, nurses, unionism, badges, buttons, pins, campaigning, trade unions, labour history, safe patient care (nurse to patient and midwife to patient ratios) act 2015, australian nursing federation, victoria, enterprise bargaining

Button to commemorate a membership of 47,000 nurses in the Victorian Branch of the Australian Nursing Federation. In the May 2009 issue of the Branch newsletter, On the Record, the milestone was noted in Lisa Fitzpatrick's 'Secretary's report' (p. 3). In a short paragraph, Fitzpatrick notes that "whilst it is wonderful to celebrate [reaching 47,000 members], ANF will continue to encourage those nurses who are not members to join their union and professional body to ensure that we continue to protect and enhance nursing and midwifery in Victoria". As of 2019, the Branch now has a membership of over 81,000.Circular blue, white and yellow plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'Congratulations and thank you', '47,000 members 31.03.2009', 'Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch)' and logo, and [Victorian Branch Secretary] Lisa [Fitzpatrick, 2001-current] and [Federal Assistant Secretary] Yvonne [Chaperon, 2007-2014]'.nursing, workforce, nurses, unionism, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, australian nursing federation, victoria, union membership

Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members. The ANF has been campaigning for greater professional recognition of nurses since its inception as the Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association in 1901. The front cover of the July 2006 issue of the Victorian Branch newsletter 'On the Record' features a nurse wearing a sticker with a similar design as this badge, suggesting it was manufactured and distributed around this time.Circular blue, green and white plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'Proud to be a NURSE' and the ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo.nursing, unionism, professional identity, nurses, lobbying, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, australian nursing federation

Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members. The ANF has been campaigning for more funding and qualified nurses to improve the quality of aged care for the past several decades, and continues to do so. This particular badge is from a 2001 campaign in the lead up to a November 2001 Australian federal election. The campaign called on the government and opposition to make commitments to around aged care staffing and funding. Branch newsletters from late 2001 focused on aged care staff shortages & under-funding, with placards from rallies featuring slogans such as 'Aged care nurses. We care. Do you?' and 'Aged care. Who care? We care'. Therefore, it is believed that this badge was manufactured and distributed from August to December 2001.Circular orange and dark blue plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'Aged Care. Who Cares? I care.' and the ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo. 'I Care.' is underlined.nursing, nurses, unionism, aged care, lobbying, 2001 federal election, funding, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, staffing, workforce, patient care