NewsBite

NSW Nurses claim they were subjected to verbal abuse from drivers while protesting for higher pay

NSW nurses say they were subjected to verbal abuse from “Boomers” driving past while they were holding rallies, calling for better pay.

Nurses hit back at boomer's verbal abuse

Nurses say passing “Boomers” yelled abuse at them while they held rallies calling for higher pay.

Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association went on strike on Tuesday, calling for a 15 per cent pay rise.

Thousands of nurses joined the rally, with some reporting they’d been target by “boomer” men hurling abuse towards the group from their cars.

Nurses in NSW have been taking part in industrial action, demanding better pay and for the NSW government to better value their professions. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard
Nurses in NSW have been taking part in industrial action, demanding better pay and for the NSW government to better value their professions. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

One nurse shared her experience with her followers on social media, revealing some of the things said to her and her colleagues.

“While we were peacefully rallying for fair pay and safe working conditions, an elderly gentleman screamed abuse at us from his car window,” the nurse wrote social media.

“Another older man yelled, ‘get back to work f– kers” and ’you signed up for this.

“Why do people hate nurses so much?

“We literally dedicate our lives to care for others. Who cares for us?”

The NSW nurse claimed she was subjected to verbal abuse from passing 'boomers' while on strike. Picture: TikTok
The NSW nurse claimed she was subjected to verbal abuse from passing 'boomers' while on strike. Picture: TikTok
Many nurses carried placards calling for change. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard
Many nurses carried placards calling for change. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

The nurse said people needed to remember that one day they would likely need the help of a nurse themselves.

“You’re washed up, speeding past a nurse rally, ignoring the fact that we’re fighting to retain the people who’ll be wiping your a$$ in a few years,” she captioned her video.

The nurse is joined by other concerned nurses in her video, as they recall what was screamed at them while peacefully protesting.

The union has accused the Minns government of failing to “demonstrate willingness to negotiate in good faith by close of business yesterday”.

Nurses and Midwives marched to State parliament on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard
Nurses and Midwives marched to State parliament on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

The union has been long campaigning for the pay rise for its nurses, who it says are the lowest paid in Australia.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the average salary for a registered nurse in Queensland ranges from between $79,058 to $106,144.

Meanwhile, the average salary in nurse in NSW range from $69,810 to $98,014.

Victorian nurses have capped salaries at just below $130,000, making them the highest paid in the country.

Originally published as NSW Nurses claim they were subjected to verbal abuse from drivers while protesting for higher pay

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/business/work/at-work/nsw-nurses-claim-they-were-subjected-to-verbal-abuse-from-drivers-while-protesting-for-higher-pay/news-story/e4e761596f7153d75f8c6028a4af09dc