Vic nurses say pay or we'll strike

Victorian nurses and midwives have given the state government 15 days to come up with a better pay deal.

Their current agreement ended on March 31, and members want a deal to bring them into line with their NSW counterparts, which could see pay rises between 3 and 20 per cent, depending on a nurse's grade.

The union rejected the government's offer of 3 per cent in March and say it was time a serious offer was made.

Following a meeting in Moonee Ponds on Thursday, members authorised the union to take steps to trigger industrial action if a "reasonable and respectful" offer is not made within 15 days.

That action could begin at 7am on 6 May and would be the first strike by Victorian nurses and midwives since 1995.

"We're prepared to work night and day to resolve the outstanding key issues - the wage offer and the unacceptable demands for unlimited short shifts and a reduction of hand-over time," union secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said in a statement on Thursday.

Senior government officials will meet with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation from 10am on Friday.