Qld nurse and midwife strike looms as wage dispute enters final hours

There are fewer than 24 hours until wage contracts for tens of thousands of nurses and midwives expire, with tensions rising amid the growing threat of strike action over the government’s current wage offer.

QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman pictured in 2022 with nurses and midwives on the Sunshine Coast. Photo: Patrick Woods.

The state government is on the brink of a major union showdown, with less than 24 hours until wage contracts for tens of thousands of nurses and midwives expire.

Tensions are rising and strike action looms alongside the critical March 31 deadline, as exhausted frontline workers demand more than the government’s current wage offer – an 8 per cent pay rise over three years – which unions have slammed as inadequate amid surging inflation.

After weeks of failed talks, the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union will hold a last-resort meeting with Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie this week before considering protected industrial action with its 50,000 members.

QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said nurses and midwives were now “understandably losing patience” with the Crisafulli government.

“The time for answers is now,” she said.

“Premier David Crisafulli made a written promise to maintain nation-leading wages and conditions for nurses and midwives on the frontline of Queensland Health.

“Despite ongoing negotiations … we don’t yet have answers regarding how and when the government will deliver their promise.”

Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union secretary Sarah Beaman. Picture: Richard Walker

Under the former Labor government’s central wages policy, a consistent wage increase was offered across frontline sectors, with negotiations between the government.

Mr Crisafulli has indicated he wants that policy to continue however, once the QNMU agreement expires on Monday, union members will be permitted to take protected strike action.

If an agreement cannot be reached with the QNMU, it could set the tone for wage battles across the entire public sector in 2025, with contracts for police, teachers, and firefighters due to expire later this year.

Queensland Council of Unions secretary Jacqueline King urged the government to recognise fair wages were critical to attracting and retaining its public sector.

“Public sector workers have been clear: they want a respectful negotiation and a wages offer that reflects the essential work they do every day,” she said.

The QNMU has held meetings across the state for the past two weeks in anticipation of protected action, with members unanimously voting to reject the current offer.

The union will have a final meeting with Mr Bleijie on Thursday.

“An announcement regarding next steps will be made once we have discussed the government’s response with members,” Ms Beaman said.

The government has formally offered frontline public servants a 3 per cent wage increase this year and 2.5 per cent each year in 2027 and 2028.

Originally published as Qld nurse and midwife strike looms as wage dispute enters final hours