Hundreds of Queensland cancer specialists to strike over $30,000 pay cut

Cancer treatment specialists have threatened to quit Queensland after the state government moved to cut bonuses up to $30,000.

Brisbane radiation therapist Alisha Wintour faces the loss of a special $30,000 bonus. Picture: Lachie Millard

Hundreds of highly skilled radiation clinicians and nuclear medicine scientists will walk off the job on Wednesday in protest at the potential loss of bonuses worth up to $30,000 a year.

And it is feared Queensland cancer patients will become collateral damage if the pay cut triggers a staff exodus.

The retention bonus was introduced by the then Labor government in 2022 in recognition of radiation therapy skills.

But it could be axed under a wage offer from the state LNP government.

More than 330 health workers will walk off the job in protest at hospitals around Queensland on Wednesday, many of them stopping work for the whole day.

The United Workers’ Union has warned the government that without a new wage offer, specialists will quit or move interstate.

UWU Queensland Health and ambulance co-ordinator Fiona Scalon said the planned action would not put patients at risk, but would show how essential these trained professionals were to the health system.

“Our members are dedicated to serving Queenslanders,” she said.

“From pain relief during palliative care to lifesaving cancer treatments, radiation therapists and nuclear medicine scientists do highly skilled, vital work.

“They care about patients, and there are mitigations in place to make sure no sick patients miss out on treatment during the stop works.

“These stop works are just a taste of what the health system will be like if we lose these skilled experts.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls this week. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“Cuts of this magnitude will mean these highly qualified health professionals will need to make choices about staying in these jobs or working somewhere that values their skills fairly.

“If we lose nuclear medicine and radiation therapy in the public health system, patients will have to rely on private providers, leaving our most vulnerable Queenslanders at risk.”

The government said the allowance was short-term, made by Labor on the eve of the election and applies to less than 100 staff.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the government stood by its offer of a minimum 8 per cent pay rise over three years.

“Queensland Health remains at the bargaining table, and we respect the right of union members to take approved protected industrial action, as there are preparations in place to minimise disruptions to patient care and impacts on employees,” he said.

Queensland Health applied to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for conciliation on October 27, following months of stalled negotiations led by the union.

Brisbane radiation therapist Alisha Wintour has worked in the field for more than a decade.

The mother-of-two told The Courier-Mail she would be forced to leave for a job with more pay.

“A $30,000 pay cut for any family is not workable,” she said.

“Our job is very skilled and we are constantly upgrading our skills.

“We are not easily replaced.

“Many colleagues are reporting that the loss of such a large amount of money will mean they will look for a different profession or move away from Queensland.”

Originally published as Hundreds of Queensland cancer specialists to strike over $30,000 pay cut