Members of the NSW nurses and midwives union are striking for over 12 hours today, demanding a 15% pay rise from the State Government.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) said workers are facing “high levels of exhaustion”.
On Monday, the union was told by a Government body to shut down its plans for today’s nurses and midwives strike.
NSWNMA did not comply and began striking at 7am today.
Background
In May, the NSWNMA asked the State Government for a 15% pay increase, penalty rates for night shifts, and improved working conditions.
The Government offered a 10.5% pay rise over three years, which the union rejected.
In June, Victorian nurses and midwives negotiated a 28.4% pay increase over four years from the State Government. The new agreement included penalty rates and improved working conditions.
In response, the NSWNMA began industrial action, including rallies.
Notice
The NSW Industrial Relations Commission sets pay for public sector workers and oversees negotiations between these employees and their employer, the State Government.
This week, it called on the NSWNMA to “cease organising… industrial action”. This included orders to remove strike references from their website and social media platforms by Monday evening.
NSW Nurses and Midwives Association President O’Bray Smith said “these orders [were] expected” and the strike was “most definitely going ahead”.
Government
NSW Premier Chris Minns told 2GB that a 15% pay increase, paid out over one year, would cost the state $6.5 billion.
Minns also said increasing pay for nurses and midwives would mean the state would have to increase pay for other public sector workers, like police and teachers.
