Image: NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association
Over 50,000 nurses and midwives across New South Wales have left their workplaces in a 24-hour strike, demanding a 15% pay increase and safer working conditions to address the evident gender pay gap in hospitals.
As pay disputes accumulate, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) executed the strike in response to the Minns Government offer of a 3% pay rise.
The strike will likely result in rescheduling of more than 600 surgeries, with the main rally set to start from 12pm at Hyde Park with the strike beginning on Wednesday morning. Nurses and midwives across NSW, including Broken Hill, Armidale, Port Macquarie, Crookwell, Coffs Harbour among others, are also holding rallies.
Strike is a “last resort” following unresolved issues with NSW Govt
This marks the second strike by NSWNMA this year. In September, medical professionals staged a walkout resulting in the postponement of numerous elective surgeries and delayed emergency wait times.
At the time of NSWNMA’s second industrial action, the Nurses Union agreed with directions from the Industrial Relations Commisssion (IRC), to accept a temporary three per cent raise and refrain from another walk off while they negotiated with NSW Health. Despite the agreement, NSWNMA continued with their strike, arguing the “government has left us no other choice”.
NSWNMA General Secretary Shaye Candish staunchly defended the strike, stating it was a “last resort,” adding, “Our members are extremely frustrated, juggling tough work conditions and bills in a cost-of-living crisis, They have been holding on for an outcome on better pay and they feel terribly let down.”
Health Minister deems NSWNMA’s strike “regrettable” after rejected offers of pay rise
A spokesperson for Health Minister Ryan Park expressed disappointment in NSWNMA’s decision, stating “The government has acted in good faith in delivering on the interim pay rise, regrettably, the Association has backtracked on their commitment and called a strike.”
On Friday at a hearing, the IRC criticised the planned strike, calling out the Nurses Union for “acting contrary to the commitment it gave the commission”.
“Industrial action next Wednesday is unnecessary,” the Commissioner said. “It will cost nurses pay and cause inconvenience and worse to patients and their families.”
NSW Government said it made multiple offers, including a 1o.5% rise multi-year deal and staff reforms. Park noted that fully closing the wage gap in one year would cost hundreds of millions, but confirmed the issue would now move to arbitration with the IRC.
Industrial strikes increasing across Sydney
Additionally, frustration from medical professionals were further heightened when The Minns Government has proposed significant pay increases for NSW Police officers, with some receiving up to a 39% raise over four years. According to ABC News, NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Michael Whaites questioned why similar support wasn’t extended to the union, pointing out their concerns over gender pay disparities in the largely female-dominated workforce.
The strike is part of a growing wave of industrial action in Sydney. Following a pay rise dispute and in response to NSW Govt.‘s pledge offering free light rail rides from Monday, The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) threatened a strike unless their demands for 24-hour train services, across the city from Thursday to Sunday, as well as a hike in pay, are met.
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