Premier dodges questions on threats to strip nurses of backpay

On Labour Day it was revealed the state government had threatened to strip tens of thousands of frontline health workers of backpay if they dare exercise their legal right to strike action.

Premier David Crisafulli has dodged questions on whether he threatened to strip back pay from frontline nurses and midwives, as several other unions joined the growing backlash against the state’s public sector wages policy.

Tens of thousands of public sector workers – as well as both federal and state Labor Party members – took to the streets of Brisbane on Monday for the annual Labour Day march, with unions calling on the state government for a fair wage offer.

Queenslands Labour Day March in Brisbanes CBD. Picture: Glenn Campbell

On Monday it was revealed the state government had threatened to strip tens of thousands of frontline nurses and midwives of their backpay if they dare exercise their legal right to protected strike action.

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) slammed the “unprecedented” ultimatum that resulted from the latest round of wage negotiations after their contract expired two months ago.

However, on Monday the QNMU were joined by the Queensland Council of Unions, Australian Workers Union, Queensland Teachers Union and others to publicly reject the current wage offer of an average of 2.67 per cent per annum for the next three years, saying it did not meet nation leading wages and conditions.

Brisbane Labour Day March and family fun day. Picture: Nigel Hallett

When asked if an ultimatum was issued to the QNMU, Mr Crisafulli insisted the state government were continuing to negotiate in good faith.

“Our desire is to work with the nurses union, and that is to deliver what we said we were going to do – that is nation leading pay and conditions,” he said.

“My view is the best way to deliver the best services is to have a public service that’s secured its employment, and we continue to work well to deliver not just the pay, but also the conditions to do that – and we will do that.”

In a stinging response to the threat, QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said 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 government knows where they need to meet the members at, and that is based on Victoria, they have been provided with the figures … they know the number they need to get to, and they need to put it on the table.”

QCU general secretary Jacqueline King said the state governments threat on nurses and midwives “showed the colour of the government officials that have been involved in this negotiating”.

The newly elected Member for the seat of Dickson Ali France at Queenslands Labour Day March in Brisbanes CBD. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“If this is the first part of their offer, and if this is their counter offer that they gave on Friday, just to nurses, then it doesn’t bode well for the rest of the sector,” Ms King said.

Labor Party members present at the march included Queensland Senator Murray Watt, Opposition Leader Steven Miles, shadow industrial relations spokeswoman Grace Grace, Cameron Dick and Di Farmer.

Newly elected Federal MPs Ali France, Madonna Jarrett and Kara Cook also attended.

Originally published as Premier dodges questions on threats to strip nurses of backpay