Frontline workers threaten widespread strikes over ‘low ball’ pay offer

Frontline health workers have threatened widespread strike action if the state government does not improve its pay rise offer amid stalled wage negotiations. HAVE YOUR SAY

Nurses and Midwives could take industrial action.

• Editor’s view: Link pay, productivity

Nurses and midwives have called on the state government to improve its pay rise offer or risk widespread strikes amid stalled wage negotiations.

There are just two weeks left before the pay deal between public sector nurses and the government expires, with Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) members already voting to use “all actions available” to secure a better agreement.

The QNMU said it received written confirmation from Premier David Crisafulli prior to the state election stating he would maintain “nation-leading” wages and conditions for Queensland staff.

But the union said the currently deal of 8 per cent split over the next three years, with a capped inflation adjustment of 0.5 per cent in 2025 and 1 per cent in 2026 and 2027, won’t keep up with inflation forecasts between now and June 2027.

QNMU Secretary Sarah Beaman said the cut-off date for negotiations was looming and the union was holding regular meetings across the state to consider “all actions available” in the event the government does not raise its current offer.

“At this time, all we have to go on is the state wages policy which falls short of what is necessary to honour the government’s commitment,” she said.

“We are urgently seeking clarity on how and when the government intends to deliver on their promise.

“Nurses and midwives do not take industrial action lightly, however at rolling QNMU Report Back Meetings statewide, hundreds of public nurses and midwives have already voted to reject the state wages policy and consider all actions available to them to secure a suitable wages offer and EB12 agreement.”

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The QNMU is the first union to go through negotiations, with the wage policy setting the foundation for police, firefighters and teacher contracts later this year.

Minister for Police Dan Purdie. Photo: Steve Pohlner

It comes as the Police Minister Dan Purdie’s controversial move to negotiate with cops outside a central wages policy triggered the Firefighters union to write to Minister Ann Leahy demanding the same treatment.

Professional Firefighters Union secretary John Oliver said the union was “bewildered” by the low ball offer as his frontline responded to flooding in North Queensland.

“It is somewhat ironic as our members are doing these rescues the Queensland Government insults us by offering a low ball wage offer,” he said.

“Is that what the Government thinks we are worth when firefighters are currently working in the floods in the LNP’s backyard, Townsville, Ayr, Ingham?”

“I can advise we are writing to Minister Ann Leahy today, asking for her to advocate for firefighters, as Police Minister Dan Purdie has stated in the media he is doing for their deserving Police Officers.”

The Queensland Teachers Union is understood to have been presented the same wages offer however, QTU president Cresta Richardson said negotiations were still in early stages.

“The QTU is prepared for a transparent and robust process in securing a deal accepted by its’ 48-thousand members,” she said.

“The government is well aware of the cause of the teacher shortage crisis and the solution to fixing it is a wage deal respecting and acknowledging the challenges QTU members face every day at work.”

Originally published as Frontline workers threaten widespread strikes over ‘low ball’ pay offer