Thousands of NSW nurses are striking today for the first time in a decade to protest over real wage cuts and the state government’s refusal to mandate nurse-to-patient staff ratios.
The 24-hour stoppage will affect more than 150 public hospitals and health services and is expected to disrupt health services under strain from the pandemic.
NSW Nurses Association secretary Brett Holmes said nurses wanted a pay rise more than the state wage cap of 2.5 per cent, which is now below CPI of 3.5 per cent, as well as ratios of one nurse per four patients to ensure standards of patient care.
“COVID-19 has exacerbated the failings of our health system and highlighted the disrespect shown to nurses and midwives by this government,” he said.
“The platitudes will not be enough to sustain our already fatigued and diminished health workforce.”
Nurses received a 0.3 per cent wage rise in 2020 and 2 per cent in 2021. Reserve Bank governor Phil Lowe has cited state wage caps as a contributor to sluggish wage growth.
About 13,000 nurses voted in favour of industrial action and Mr Holmes said members had “overwhelmingly indicated how fed up they are with the NSW government for continuing to ignore the need for nurse-to-patient ratios on every shift”. The ratios exist in Victoria and Queensland.
The NSW Industrial Relations Commission handed down orders to stop the strike late yesterday afternoon, following a request from NSW Health. However, the union has decided to proceed.
NSW Health urged the union to comply with the orders and said that “any strike action would cause disruptions and delays to health services throughout the state”.
“Local health districts have plans in place to minimise potential disruptions and delays to ensure all those in need of emergency and urgent care continue to receive it as quickly as possible,” a spokesperson said.
NSW Health currently has a system of “nursing hours per patient day” which it believes is more flexible than strict staff-patient ratios.
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