NSW nurses will walk off the job for 12.5 hours on Tuesday

More than 50,000 nurses will walk off the job on Tuesday in a fight for more pay. The move is expected to throw elective surgery wait lists into chaos.

Hospitals will grind to a standstill on Tuesday with more than 50,000 nurses to walk off the job in a fight for more pay which is set to halt elective surgeries and create extreme delays for patients.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association will strike on Tuesday for 12.5 hours, from 7am to 7.30pm.

The action is set to cause extensive delays at hospitals, impacting patients and delaying elective surgeries.

However, life-preserving care will be maintained.

The major escalation in industrial action comes after the government failed to meet a deadline to present a new pay offer to the union.

NSW Nurses and midwives rallying outside the Ministry of Health building in St Leonards in June. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The nurses union is demanding a one-off pay increase of 15 per cent this financial year.

The Minns government has offered 10.5 per cent over three years.

NSW Nurses and Midwives General Secretary Shaye Candish said union officials had made “a compelling case” for the pay rise to Health Minister Ryan Park but the Minns government had “shown no willingness” to fulfill it.

“We shouldn’t have to consider increasing industrial action, but the government has failed to put a better offer on the table, which leaves us no option,” Ms Candish said.

“This government must stop exploiting the generosity and goodwill of nurses and midwives, and they must fix the gender pay gap and pay disparity we have with other states.”

Earlier, Ms Candish issued a video to members on Thursday night calling for nurses to “take strike action next week”.

“We’ve been ignored, we’ve been working with government for many weeks, we have not seen an improved pay offer and we’re still only at a point of continuing to discuss the no-cost items,” she said.

“We have to escalate to demand for change, and that change is only going to come when we stand in solidarity together to demonstrate to the government that we will not tolerate being ignored any longer,” she said in the video message.

“I know you’re tired. I know you’re fatigued, but it’s so critical that when we take strike action next week, we all come together and stand in solidarity.”

Mr Park said negotiations with the union were ongoing.

“We are still in negotiations, and I remain at the table and will always work in good faith,” he said.

“The strike action proposed is serious, and I’m concerned it’s been taken.”

He said “contigencies” would be in place to “minimise disruption” if the strike went ahead.

The strike action is the latest union blow to the Minns government, after the Fire Brigade Employees Union contributed to delays in opening the new Metro line, plus looming action from the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union.

The strike will also impact Premier Chris Minns’ electorate office, with nurses set to rally in Kogarah, as well as locations including Corrimal, Newcastle, Parramatta, Coffs Harbour, Bathurst, Gosford, and Albury.

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Originally published as NSW nurses will walk off the job for 12.5 hours on Tuesday