Local nurses outside the Corowa Hospital on Tuesday demanding better pay and improved staffing conditions. The nurses were joined by family, friends and NSW paramedics.
Corowa nurses walked off the job for an hour yesterday, Tuesday February 15, joining thousands of nurses across the state, demanding better pay and improved staffing conditions.
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The strike, which was attended by around 40 local nurses, family members and NSW paramedics, went ahead at 10am on Tuesday for an hour, despite orders from the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) to call the state-wide action off.
In a letter to Member for Albury Justin Clancy, a spokesperson from the Corowa strike said the NSW Government was refusing to listen or negotiate with nurses and midwives.
“The government denies the ever-increasing staffing vacancies, diminishing skill mix and the growing overtime needed to keep services running and keep up with demand,” they said.
“They have rejected shift by shift nurse-to-patient rations, despite Queensland, Victoria and ACT governments implementing this.
“NSW pay rates have now fallen below other states. Working conditions have deteriorated as staffing vacancies worsen, scope of practice has been diluted, admission has skyrocketed, and untrained staff have been introduced into care models.
“COVID-19 has exposed and emphasised the falling of our hospital system highlighted in the disrespect shown to nurses and midwives by this government.”
Over the past week, 99 per cent of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) branches who voted were in favour of strike action and called on the NSW Premier to urgently implement shift by shift nursing and midwifery staffing for safe patient care.
NSWNMA General Secretary Brett Holmes said the strike was a culmination of ten years’ inaction by the government and its refusal to negotiate with nurses and midwives to secure safe staffing on each shift in every hospital.
A NSW Ambulance in Corowa showing full support for local nurses.
“Our members have 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 across our public health system, similar to those already working successfully in Queensland and Victoria,” Mr Holmes said.
“Nurses and midwives across NSW have had to fight to be safe at work during the current pandemic. Fit testing, workers’ compensation and leave entitlements have been a constant battle under this government.
“Each peak of this pandemic has demanded more from our members and put them under considerable strain. Working conditions have deteriorated as staff vacancies increased, scope of practice has been diluted, admissions have skyrocketed, and untrained staff have been introduced into care models. All of this impacted the level of care they can provide to patients.
“COVID-19 has exacerbated the failings of our health system and highlighted the disrespect shown to nurses and midwives by this government. The platitudes will not be enough to sustain our already fatigued and diminished health workforce.”
In addition to their request for nurse-to-patient ratios in every hospital, Mr Holmes confirmed NSWNMA members were seeking:
-a fair pay rise above 2.5%, for recognition of nurses and midwives’ workloads during the pandemic and to compensate for their wage freeze in 2020. A COVID-19 allowance would be additional recognition but does not replace other demands.
-- withdrawal of the amendment to the Workers’ Compensation Act that would force workers to prove they contracted COVID-19 at work.
NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Shaye Candish said Tuesday’s action was a pivotal moment for nurses and midwives statewide because many had reached the end of their good will.
“Our members are done with being told to just keep going. They have gone above and beyond to sacrifice themselves, particularly over the past two years, but this issue goes further to securing the future of our state’s nursing and midwifery workforce,” Ms Candish said.
“Nurse-to-patient ratios and safer midwifery staffing would drastically improve the level of patient care our members can provide and must be introduced across the state.
“Our members do not take industrial action lightly. They want to deliver high quality care to the patients of NSW, but the government’s refusal to listen has placed our members in an impossible situation. So far, the government hasn’t given them a thing except pats on the back.”
Across the state some nurses and midwives walked off the job for up to 24 hours.
Life-preserving services were maintained in all public hospitals and health services during the strike.
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