‘We’re exhausted’: Nurses strike over pay and conditions as Premier defends government’s response
An “exhausted” nurse called 2GB to challenge NSW Premier Chris Minns, explaining why nurses have staged a walkout as hundreds shouted ‘shame, shame, shame’ outside his Kogarah office.
NSW
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NSW Premier Chris Minns has been forced to defend his government’s response to concerns raised by the nursing sector, as nurses stage a walkout demanding improved pay and working conditions.
It came as hundreds of nurses closed down the street at Mr Minn’s southern Sydney office shouting “shame, shame, shame”.
Protesters, donning bright yellow vests to mimic tradies, branded cardboard cutouts of the premier’s face calling for the government to send “a lifeline”.
The union is leading a 12-hour strike, pushing for a 15 per cent wage increase and safer working environments, despite the Industrial Relations Commission ruling the action unlawful.
Minns faced criticism during an interview on Ben Fordham Live from a nurse named Jane, who expressed the exhaustion felt by her and her colleagues.
Jane started by saying nurses were “exhausted” and nurses and patients were “not safe” in NSW hospitals.
“I am beyond exhausted, I am only doing this protest because we have no other avenue to go down,” she said on 2GB.
“It’s about the money but there’s so many more important things we have to fight for as well. It’s not safe anymore for nurses or patients.”
Minns defended his government’s efforts, emphasising their collaboration with the nursing sector on key issues like staffing levels in hospitals.
“I want to say, and this is really important, we haven’t done nothing, we’ve worked really closely with the nurses and midwives association for safe staffing levels in NSW hospitals...I appreciate (that) with inflation and interest rates very high, a lot of nurses will say that’s not good enough, but we’ve said we’re prepared to have that arbitrated by the independent umpire,” Minns said on Tuesday morning.
Jane responded on 2GB, saying, “You’ve got it wrong, inflation is killing us, it’s killing me, it’s killing everybody I know, it’s the number one conversation in every tea room.”
“And then they ask us to do more shifts, it’s just, we’re exhausted.”
The strikes across all hospitals in the state kicked off at 7am on Tuesday, in a bid to convince the Minns government to agree to a 15 per cent one-year pay increase.
Health authorities have warned hospitals will face substantial delays which would pose a risk to patients.
Western Sydney nurse Lisa Phillips, 30, said wage caps were causing a mass exodus of nurses to other states as the cost-of-living crisis worsened.
Ms Phillips said the 15 per cent pay rise demand only aimed to level the playing field for thousands of nurses struggling to survive in NSW.
“We are haemorrhaging nurses and we cannot afford to live in this state anymore,” she said.
“How are we supposed to live and work and take care of Sydney public if we can’t afford to live here?
“We really do deserve more we need more as a state.”
Despite the upbeat atmosphere at the protest, undercurrents of anger and frustration clearly ran deep.
Signs of Mr Minn’s face were covered with devil horns and “liar” as NWSNMA members spoke to the crowd about broken trust and election promises.
Earlier, NSWNMA President O’Bray Smith stood on a makeshift stage outside Minn’s front door and addressed the impassioned crowd.
“We have a very strong message for this premier,” Ms O’Bray said.
“Do you remember his words 18 months ago on election night…I bloody well do.”
“(He said) Labour pledges to look after the people who looked after us - and are they?
“What the premier and his government meant when they said they would get rid of the unfair wages cut.. was instead putting in place glass ceiling for on female-dominated work forces.
“Premier, it’s time to pay us what we’re worth,” she said.
The IRC ordered the strike to immediately cease on Monday afternoon, but the nurses union confirmed it would continue to go ahead.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the Nurses and Midwives Association needed to comply with the orders.
“The IRC has made orders to cease the strike action immediately,” he said.
‘Unions fought for this independent industrial court and commission and we continue to urge the Association to comply with the orders.
“There is no doubt such strike action will impact on our public health system, from longer waits in emergency rooms to cancelled non-emergency surgeries.
“While all local health districts have plans in place to minimise disruption, the strikes will very likely affect people seeking care.”
Mr Park said people with less urgent conditions would experience longer wait times should the strike go ahead, with seriously unwell patients being prioritised for emergency care.
Elective surgeries would also be postponed as a result.
Premier Chris Minns said on Monday morning his government would not be making nurses a higher wage offer.
“We wanted to get a fair offer on the table for pay and conditions and we believe we’ve done that,” he said.
“If that’s not enough and they don’t believe that's a fair and reasonable offer we’re prepared to accept the independent umpire’s decision.”
The Nurses union has said the strike will continue to go ahead and that minimal life-preserving staffing would be maintained in public hospitals and health services during the 12-hour strike.
NSWNMA general secretary Shaye Candish accused the Minns government of influencing the Commission’s decision.
“This is a disappointing move by the government, one that forces the industrial court to do the government’s work,” she said.
“For months, we have continuously showed up to negotiation meetings and acted in good faith.
“Not once has the government met with us to negotiate a pay rise above their 3% offer.
“We will continue to fight for fair pay until a meaningful offer is delivered.
“The NSW government’s refusal to value us and put a decent offer on the table has left us with no choice.”
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