The members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) are taking action after rejecting the private hospital operator’s pay and conditions offer which they deem to be unacceptable.

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Members argue Ramsay’s pay offer fails to meet cost-of-living increases and would put them well behind their Ramsay colleagues in Queensland.

Secretary of NSWNMA Baringa Branch, Melissa McDonough told News Of The Area, “The pay offer does not keep us in line with the rate of inflation and is behind what our counterparts in Queensland and Victoria have been offered.

“Part of the three-year deal starts with 3.25 percent over the first year and we’re asking for six percent,” she said.

“The public health nurses and midwives who staff Coffs Harbour Health Campus have just launched a campaign for a fifteen percent pay rise for the upcoming year.

“Our Victorian counterparts have just accepted 28 percent.

“Our request for six percent is quite reasonable,” she said.

Secondary to the pay rise is a request for safe staffing levels.

“We are asking for a mandated nurse-to-patient ratio of four patients to one nurse, currently we can be looking after six or seven patients.

“We also ask that the after-hours Registered Nurse in charge of the hospital does not have a patient to look after on her shift, that she is able to be across all nurses and midwives on duty.”

The industrial action sees members wearing badges and stickers, and distributing flyers in person and online about why they’re taking industrial action.

“We’ve got close to 100 members in Coffs Harbour and what we’re doing is wearing our NSWNMA scrubs and campaign badges inviting people to ask us why we’re taking action.

“We’re feeling very positive, and the response from the public has been very empathetic.

“People are writing letters of support to the CEO of Ramsay Health Care, which is very encouraging,” said Melissa.

While action is taking place, the nurses and midwives remain diligent in their duties.

“Patient care remains a priority for all NSWNMA members.”

NSWNMA officials will continue to negotiate with Ramsay Health Care over the coming weeks in the hope of reaching agreement on the union’s pay and conditions claim.

By Andrea FERRARI