Historical information
Distributed to nurses during campaigning for improved workloads and wages in the 1980s, possibly during the historic 1986 Victorian 50-day nurses strike. During the 1970s and 1980s, the state of Victoria had an acute nursing shortage, and patient workloads were unsafe. Throughout the 1980s, Victorian nurses took drastic industrial action to improve wages and conditions, culminating in the historic 50-day strike in 1986.
The Royal Australian Nursing Federation (RANF) became the Australian Nursing Federation in 1989, suggesting that this button is from the late 1980s.
Physical description
Circular white and blue plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back.
Badge printed with 'R.A.N.F. [Royal Australian Nursing Federation]' and 'Vic. [Victorian] Branch', as well as the text 'Overworked Nurses = Undercared Patients'.
Subjects
References
- Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation Victorian Branch: Our History Brief overview of the history of the Victorian nurses' union, including useful historic background for this badge.
- 30th anniversary digital exhibition: The 1986 50-day Victorian nurses and midwives strike A digital exhibition launched by the ANMF (Victorian Branch) on the 30th anniversary of the historic Victorian nurses’ and midwives’ strike. Includes video interviews with key figures, historic photos and primary materials.
