Hundreds of surgeries in New South Wales will be cancelled today as nurses and midwives hold a 24-hour strike, with only life-preserving care unaffected.
The industrial action comes after the state government refused to meet the nursing union’s claim for a 15 per cent pay rise, despite a hefty wage offer given to police officers this week.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) said the government still hasn’t moved from the original 3 per cent per year offer.
NSWNMA general secretary Shaye Candish said nurses were “incredibly disappointed,” and said members were “angry” the pay rise proposal had been rejected.
Speaking ahead of today’s strike, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said he was “disappointed” by the action, but the health system was prepared for possible impacts.
He said it would mean planned surgeries being postponed and longer waiting times in emergency departments at hospitals.
“I want to assure the community that we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact of this on their care,” Park said.
“NSW Health is working hard to ensure postponed surgeries are rescheduled as quickly as reasonably possible.”
Park said the government had reached agreement on all of the NSWNMA’s non-wage claims, and proposed options to fund and deliver a new increased wage offer.
Striking nurses will hold a rally outside State Parliament in Sydney from 1pm.
This week the NSW government offered police a 22.3 to 39.4 per cent hike, depending on their rank, over four years.
