Nurses’ pay dispute at critical stage

FURTHER industrial action by nurses is on the cards if tomorrow’s critical meeting between the Government and the nurses’ union fails to progress a protracted pay dispute.

The State Government is refusing to budge from longstanding state wages policy of 2 per cent annual pay rises across the public service.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has been waging a campaign that nurses deserve more, given the intense pressure on the health system adding to unsustainable workloads.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said while there was no room for the Government to move on the 2 per cent pay rise, there were always other issues which could be discussed.

“The whole point of a negotiation is that both parties look at what room they do have to move,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We do have a strong budget management position; we want to be able to use our budget to employ more and more staff so that we can deliver more and better services.

“That’s why we do need to have a wage policy that’s affordable and fair. That’s what we do have.

“There are other things that we can also talk about, not just the absolute, if you like, indexation amount, percentage, and we do have policies with two per cent per year.”

North-West nurses cancelled planned industrial action at the Mersey Community Hospital last week over fears patient care could have been compromised

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation state secretary Emily Shepherd said in light of the goodwill shown by nurses involved in the cancelled industrial action, it was hoped the Government would also show goodwill in the negotiations.

“Key items really are about addressing unsustainable workloads,” Ms Shepherd said.

“We have said all along a further 2 per cent for nurses and midwives would still see them the lowest paid in the country.

“Any offer will be taken back to our memberships and we would be guided by their decision. Our current advice from our members is they won’t accept an offer of 2 per cent.”