TALKS have broken down in the long-running nurses pay dispute as Fair Work Australia adjourned conciliation meetings indefinitely, the nurses’ union said.

Nurses will meet today at to discuss their next move, which may include further unprotected industrial action later this month.

Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick accused Victorian Hospitals’ Industrial Association negotiators of deadlocking the dispute.

“We are extremely frustrated, despite the Premier’s statements that he wants a negotiated outcome, its seems his instructions are not being followed at the negotiating table,” she said last night.

“We indicated on Monday a signficant proposal on ratios that the VHIA rejected.”

Ms Fitzpatrick said the State Government had until 1pm today to come up with a “decent offer”.

When asked if nurses would take unprotected industrial action if no deal was offered, she replied last night: “Nurses meet tomorrow to discuss their next move.”

Spokespeople for Health Minister David Davis and Fair Work Australia were unavailable for comment.