Waratah Mater Mental Health nurses stage protest, outraged over wage freeze
They’re “outraged” and they feel “devalued”. Nurses from Mater’s Mental Health Centre at Waratah staged a protest calling on the State Government to reconsider their “insulting” 0.3 per cent pay rise.
Newcastle
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Outraged Hunter nurses, who feel they’re being “devalued”, have staged a protest calling on the State Government to offer them what they’re worth.
It was a hive of activity outside the Mater Mental Health Centre at Waratah on Thursday as nurses gave up their break times to rally about the public sector wage freeze.
It’s one of a number of planned rallies across the Hunter following a “devastating” offer from the NSW Industrial Relations Commission for an 0.3 per cent wage rise.
For some nurses that equates to an “insulting” $3.60 a week, which is just over $180 a year.
NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWMA) Waratah Mental Health Centre Branch Assistant Secretary Louise Haskins said that’s not enough.
“We’re outraged and we just wanted to show them how we felt,” she said.
“After relying on us through COVID-19 and everything that has happened this year, we feel quite devalued by this offer, it’s not what we’re worth.
“It’s put us under a lot of pressure, we’ve had numerous changes, we’ve had to do additional training, lots of restrictions so our workload has increased.
“It’s even lead to an increase in violence and aggression and we put our safety on the line every single day and this is what we’re going to get.”
The NSWMA wants the annual 2.5 per cent rise to be honoured by the Berejiklian Government.
That will see around $31 a week extra in their pockets, about $1600 a year.
Ms Haskins said it was only fair when COVID-19 has seen an increased demand for services.
“The infection side of things is always a risk but the ongoing consequences, a lot of people have lost their jobs and a lot of people are struggling with mental health at the moment,” she added.
“There has been an increase in the number of people we have had to look after.
“It just going to get worse.”
She said members also plan to invite the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Health to work alongside them for an 18 hour overtime shift at the Mater Mental Health centre.
“After relying on nurses through COVID-19, it’s clear the Premier does not value the work we do,” she said.
The Newcastle News contacted the Health Minister’s office for comment.