Rockhampton nurses and midwives will strike demanding a pay rise from the state government as part of Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union campaign

Nurses and midwives across Rockhampton will meet on Monday demanding the state government doubles its proposed pay rise for Queensland Health staff. Here’s why the peak union says they deserve better wages.

Rockhampton nurses and midwives are demanding the state government doubles its proposed wage increase as the peak unions says workers deserves reward after working under intense pressure.

Central Queensland health staff will meet on Monday demanding the state government improves on its currently proposed 2.5 per cent wage increase, citing the cost of living, unpaid overtime, and work conditions.

Thousands of Queensland Health nurses and midwives are expected to attend meetings this week ahead of the state budget, urging Treasurer Cameron Dick to include fair wages for staff in the health sector.

Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) organiser, Grant Burton said local members will meet on Monday, with support of their colleagues to demand the state government improves their state wages policy to 5.1 per cent.

“Nurses and midwives have and continue to work extremely hard to keep Queenslanders safe while the system strains under intense pressure,” Mr Burton said.

“This workforce deserves more than praise for these efforts, Queensland Health nurses and midwives deserve a 5.1 per cent pay increase that meets the rising cost of living, not the 2.5 per cent the state government has offered,” he said.

Mr Burton said, following a survey of 900 QNMU members, Queensland Health staff had performed unpaid overtime worth an average of $11,000 in the past year.

Rockhampton QH nurses and midwives will meet on Monday at 12pm in the Rose Garden (Haigh Park) in North Street, opposite the Rockhampton Hospital.

As part of QNMU’s campaign for fair conditions, more than 5,500 members have already emailed Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick to demand the pay rise.