Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian branch members opted to reject a pay increase offer from Mercy management that would have left them significantly behind their colleagues at other aged care facilities. 

The ANMF is continuing to negotiate with Mercy management for pay increases of 13.25 per cent for nurses and 15 per cent for personal care assistants over four years. 

Industrial officer Sandra Bonavia said negotiations had been underway for seven months.

"We are taking action across nine facilities," she said.

"Our aim is to improve current wages offers.

"We are too far behind the industry.

"We want to get parody across aged care."

Ms Bonavia said it was something the nurses and carers felt very passionate about.

Personal care assistants ended the last agreement more than three per cent behind standard industry rates. 

Mercy members have voted to take protected industrial action over the next two weeks Their action has included stop-work meetings, the wearing of red T-shirts and distributing information to residents and visitors. 

ANMF Victoria branch Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said staff at Mercy Aged Care facilities should not be undervalued. 

"Members should be congratulated for their collective resolve to stand together in voting to commence protected industrial action for an improved pay offer," Ms Fitzpatrick said. 

"Nurses and carers working at Mercy sites across Victoria should be valued for the vital work they do in caring for older Victorians.

"They should not be undervalued and paid below industry standards."

At some protest sites industrial action will also include barbecues where information about the campaign will be distributed and promoted to the public.