NURSES and midwives at Moree District Hospital walked off the job for one hour on Thursday, as the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association ramp up the fight for a 15 per cent pay increase.
Thousands of NSWNMA members from more than 100 hospitals and health facilities statewide stopped work this week in a series of one-hour strikes.
Moree union branch president Debbie Swan said Queensland hospitals were offering cash incentives of up to $50,000 for nursing staff to relocate north of the New South Wales border.
“We’re striking for a 15 percent wage increase and staff ratios and the reason is simple: we want to be equal, be on the same money as other nursing staff across Australia,” Mrs Swan said.
“Why would people want to come to Moree to work at the hospital when they can drive one hour up the road to Queensland and get large incentives just to go there.
“Apart from that, nursing staff in Queensland are on $20 an hour more than us. We’re all doing the same job and we’re all doing the same work,” she said.
“We can’t get staff at Moree Hospital, because of that reason. We are running so short-staffed, some of the girls are working 30 hours a fortnight overtime just to fill the gaps,” she said.
“The border towns are really, really finding it hard, especially places like Tweed heads. There’s a new hospital there – but no staff.”
Moree nurses stopped work for one hour on Thursday as part of a statewide campaign for a 15 per cent wage rise (Image Copyright).
Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan said the Minns Labor Government needed to start listening to the nursing sector.
“Our nurses are the backbone of our hospitals and we are losing them in record numbers to Queensland because they are paid far better, and have better conditions north of the border. This is a huge issue in my electorate,” Mr Moylan said.
“I urge the Government to accept the expectations of the community and start treating nurses fairly.”
Association general secretary, Shaye Candish, said in a media release after more than 10 negotiation meetings with the Minns Government, there was still no progress on the union’s pay claim.
“We have done everything that has been asked of this union and more, and despite all of that, nothing has shifted,” Ms Candish said.
“The state government needs to know we are serious and we are fed up. Wages for the state’s largest female workforce have been suppressed for more than a decade.
“Labor must fix this gender inequity, and show that it respects our nurses and midwives and the work they do caring for our communities.
“The government is choosing to pay nurses and midwives low wages. In real terms, their wages are sitting at 2008 levels, while dealing with 2024 costs. Entry level nurses in New South Wales are now the lowest paid in the country,” Ms Candish said.
Dozens of metropolitan and regional NSWNMA branches this week held public rallies and closed meetings as part of stop-work actions.
“If the state government wants to rebuild the nursing and midwifery workforce, and is serious about retaining its hardworking and dedicated staff, it must step up and pay nurses and midwives a wage that reflects their incredible contribution,” Ms Candish said.
“The government needs to stop exploiting the generosity and goodwill of nurses and midwives.
“It’s time Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey recognised the value and worth of nurses and midwives.”
