Union claims victory for doctors, psychs despite ‘no action’ order

NSW doctors and psychiatrists will not strike for three months after the union agreed to comply with earlier orders to stop industrial action, after thousands of doctors walking off the job this week for better wages and conditions.

NSW doctors and psychiatrists will not engage in industrial action for three months to secure a better deal at the bargaining table, after the public health system was thrown into disarray this week when doctors went on strike for the first time in decades.

The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) confirmed on Friday it would comply with earlier orders made by the Industrial Relations Commission to not stage industrial action until July 1.

It comes after the industrial umpire ordered the union on April 1 to abandon their three-day doctors strike, which it defied against the advice of medical indemnity insurers.

ASMOF said it would now comply with the order less than a day after the doctor’s strike caused hundreds of appointment cancellations across 30 NSW hospitals from Tuesday to Thursday.

The union said it backtracked on the order to demonstrate good faith for future negotiations with NSW Health, as it returned to the Commission on Friday for a directions hearing on the separate psychiatrists wage dispute, which was postponed for a week due to the union’s defiance.

Doctors strike outside the NSW Ministry of Health, in St Leonards, Sydney, today. Picture: Justin Lloyd

ASMOF president Dr Nicholas Spooner claimed the move was a win.

“We have agreed to the orders of the Commission as a good faith undertaking. But let’s be clear, we do so from a position of strength,” he said.

Dr Nicholas Spooner claimed the union was complying with the order from a “position of strength”.

“Thousands of doctors turned out at rallies across NSW to make their voices heard, and more than 3,000 doctors joined the union this week, a membership increase of over 30 per cent.

“We want to see all matters resolved fairly, including the psychiatrists’ dispute … our campaign continues.”

ASMOF will return to the commission with NSW Health on Monday for another directions hearing to determine the pathway towards arbitrating the Doctors Award.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park accused the union on Wednesday of trying to have “two things at once” by engaging in industrial action while demanding negotiations at the industrial umpire, despite defying its orders.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park previously asked the union to come back to the bargaining table. Picture: Christian Gilles / NewsWire

ASMOF is seeking a 30 per cent pay rise for doctors over an unspecified number of years, and a 25 per cent pay rise for psychiatrists in one year to achieve pay-parity with other states.

The NSW government has countered both offers with a 10.5 per cent pay rise over three years, claiming it could not afford to pay any more.

A joint statement from Mr Park and NSW Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson released on Friday afternoon welcomed the union’s decision, saying it provided “greater certainty for all patients as well as our broader community”.

The ministers said they would “press” to resolve both disputes when they return to the commission on Monday.

“Doctors this week reminded all of us what we already know all too well – they are critical to the health and safety of our community,” the statement read.

“We also acknowledge the challenging conditions they work under.We will abide by whatever the independent umpire decides.”

Originally published as Union claims victory for doctors, psychs despite ‘no action’ order