‘Treated like dirt’: Nurses strike across Wagga region

Wagga nurses are back on strike as a statewide industrial action happens across New South Wales.

Around 200 nurses from the Murrumbidgee local health district have joined other nurses across the state in industrial action.

Health workers from Wagga and other parts of the Riverina kicked off their rally at 9.30am with passionate speeches and a march around Bolton Park and the main streets of the city.

Local residents said they were shocked by the news but many honked their horns and clapped as the workers passed by.

The morning‘s march ended at Wagga Base Hospital, while the 24-hour statewide strike will finish at 7am on Friday.

This is the second strike this year, with nurses calling for a 4.75% pay rise, more support for undergraduate nurses and improved patient-staff ratios.

Health workers from Wagga and other parts of the Riverina kicked off their strike at 9.30am with passionate speeches and a march around Bolton Park and the main streets of the city. Picture: Patrick Morrow

As reported by the daily telegraph nurses are vowing to continue fighting until their demands are met.

“We want the state government to listen to our demands,“ Midwife Association Wagga Branch president Amit Gupta said.

“The system is broken and not delivering the right care - being short staffed has impacted nurses all around the state but especially in the Riverina.”

Nurses who have been working in the industry for over 50 years said it was their first time striking.

“I feel let down by the government and we have been overworked for far too long,” one nurse said.

I feel let down by the government and we have been overworked for far too long," one nurse said. Picture: Patrick Morrow

Sandra, who did not want her last name to be used, said workers were being treated worse than when she started back in the 1960s.

“To see my colleagues to be treated like a piece of dirt, us older ones being forced to work longer and the young nurses being chucked in the deep end - it is just horrible.”

We want the state government to listen to our demands," Midwife Association Wagga Branch president Amit Gupta said. Picture: Patrick Morrow

A spokesperson from NSW Health said: “The NSW Government and NSW Health have engaged in talks with the union and remain committed to reaching a resolution in the best interests of our patients and all our healthcare workers.

“The 2021-22 NSW Health total budget is $30.2 billion. The NSW Government is also investing in a further 5000 nurses and midwives from 2019-2022 under a record $2.8 billion boost to frontline staff.”