Qld politics: Tim Nicholls hoses down nurses’ pay dispute

Health Minister Tim Nicholls has brushed off a threat from the nurses’ union, dismissing the tough talk as the usual “argy bargy”.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls on Tuesday. Picture: John Gass

Health Minister Tim Nicholls has slapped down concerns of strikes in an escalating negotiation war with the nurses’ union, saying he would not be drawn into a “false argument” about disagreements.

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union has openly criticised the state government’s latest offer in the months long wage negotiations, which it says falls short of achieving nation-leading wages.

But Mr Nicholls said this was part of the “argy bargy” that went on in industrial negotiations, brushing off a threat from the union that members will strike if their demands are not met.

“We’re just going to deal with them respectfully. We’re going to not be drawn into some sort of false argument about disagreements that we haven’t even seen their responses to yet,” he said.

“So methodical, respect, putting the offer on the table, we believe it meets the government election commitment, 8 per cent (increase) over three years with a government election commitment of an uplift in the last part of that term to ensure we maintain nation leading waivers and conditions.”

Mr Nicholls would not confirm if the government would consider QCMU’s ask of an offer of a higher pay rate, in line with Victoria’s 7.1 per cent, and would wait for the nurses’ formal response to Friday’s offer.

He maintained that the government’s offer would align with nation leading wages and that it was difficult to compare Victoria and Queensland directly due to the difference in classification and pay points.

QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman

Mr Nicholls also committed to patient to nurse ratios remaining untouched.

This week the state government threatened to strip nurses and midwives of backpay if they were to exercise their right to strike, with Premier David Crisafulli dodging questions on the ultimatum.

He, along with the health minister, said they were continuing to negotiate with QNMU in good faith.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie on Tuesday brushed off concerns the state budget – which is forecast to be significantly in the red – could afford to give the QNMU an eight per cent wage increase over three years.

“The budget has to, because we need nurses to be well paid, they need good conditions, and we need nurses to stay doing their jobs,” Mr Bleijie said.

“We promised nation-leading pay and conditions for nurses, and that’s the process we’re going through at the moment, and I’m very confident we’re going to get there.”

Negotiations with other unions are expected to begin with contracts expiring from June, and Mr Bleijie said there will be “lots of pressures on the budget” but they would continue negotiating and bargaining in good faith.

“We’ve offered that to all the unions … we don’t want situations where there’s public fighting between unions or the state government,” he said.

Negotiations are ongoing as the QNMU consults its members.

QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said on Monday the union was not afraid to strike, and she would listen to Queensland nurses and midwives on whether they wished to take that action.

The union is holding meetings at hospitals across the state to consult with members and discuss options.

Originally published as Qld politics: Tim Nicholls hoses down nurses’ pay dispute