The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) Branch directed a second action after several meetings with NSW Government officials failed to reach an agreement on demands.

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Requests by the NSWNMA for a fifteen percent wage increase were knocked back, with the Labor government instead offering a 10.5 percent wage increase to all public-sector workers over a three year period.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has said the union’s requested pay increase is unaffordable.

“I have to tell taxpayers across the state, if we implemented a fifteen percent, one-year increase in salaries, it would cost $6.5 billion, that’s more than we spend on the entire police force in one year,” he told 2GB radio.

Rallies were launched on Tuesday morning at sixteen locations across NSW.

“Several hospitals across NSW have taken multiple industrial action, including Work to Rule and Stop Work events,” said Tomaree union representative Megan Chippindale.

“Our hospital union staff are staging today’s twelve hour walk-out as there has been a lack of response to our needs from Government.

“We remain Australia’s lowest paid nursing staff in any State or Territory but this is not just about pay,” explained Megan.

“Our hospital is yet to implement the Work to Rule industrial action such as refusing to do non clinical duties like emptying litter skips, cleaning and making beds, issuing cups of tea and serving meals to patients as well as other administrative duties.

“These types of actions were recently effective in Wagga and the staff there were granted a ‘nauseous’ allowance for those additional tasks”.

Victoria nursing staff recently went through a similar process of demanding an increase in pay and allowances.

They were awarded a 28.4 percent pay rise by November 2027 and more than 70 improvements to allowances, penalties and terms and conditions.

“So our staff are well aware they are the lowest paid in the country which is affecting retention and attracting new staff,” concluded Megan.

Union nurses climbed Mount Tomaree in protest before setting up a rally stall at Nelson Bay Marina, receiving broad support from the local community.

Last Tuesday’s strike was held in defiance of a recommendation from the Industrial Relations Commission that the NSWNMA should cease industrial action.

By Simon EKINS