Nurses and midwives in New South Wales are planning to go on strike for a period of 12 hours in order to demand a 15-per-cent pay rise this year. The strike has triggered warnings to keep ambulances and emergency departments clear of minor cases, and NSW Health has started contacting patients about postponing surgeries. The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association had their strike challenged in the state’s industrial relations commission, which ultimately ordered them to cease the strike action immediately. Despite this, rallies are planned in various locations across the state.
The union has stated that life-preserving staffing will still be maintained during the strike action, but longer waits in emergency departments and cancellations of planned surgeries are expected. The primary concern is the health impact of the strike, prompting the industrial relations commission to intervene and order the union to stop their planned action. The union remains undeterred, asserting that their members are not taking the strike lightly. They argue that the refusal of the NSW government to provide a fair offer has left them with no choice but to take action.
The union believes that an immediate 15-per-cent pay rise could be covered by capturing $3 billion in lost commonwealth health funding, despite being dismissed by the premier as unaffordable. Opposition leader Mark Speakman criticized the government for allowing the situation to escalate to this point, especially considering their claims to care about essential workers. The nurses’ strike in 2022 also demanded better staffing ratios and pay, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been resolved.
The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the healthcare system in NSW, with potential delays in emergency care and surgeries. NSW Health has started making arrangements to ensure that essential services are maintained during the strike action. The refusal of the government to meet the demands of the nurses and midwives has led to growing frustration within the healthcare sector, with concerns about the long-term implications of the gender pay gap not being addressed.
Despite the challenges and warnings surrounding the strike action, the union remains committed to advocating for fair pay and working conditions for nurses and midwives in NSW. The strike is intended to bring attention to the importance of valuing healthcare workers and providing them with the support they need to continue delivering high-quality care to patients. The outcome of the strike and the response from the government will likely have a lasting impact on the relationship between healthcare workers and the authorities in NSW.
