State’s 74,000 nurses, midwives won’t rule out strike action over pay offer

The state’s biggest union, covering nurses and midwives, has not ruled out taking strike action if the government refuses to budge on its latest pay offer.

Nurses and midwives marched on the 1 William St government offices to voice their disapproval of the latest pay offer. Picture: Facebook

The powerful 74,000-strong nurses and midwives union has not ruled out strike action over a government pay offer it says is not enough to stop workers quitting the stressed health system.

It comes after union members marched on the government offices at 1 William St on Friday and after claims from the Opposition that the LNP government was gearing up for cuts to health infrastructure and services.

“Nurses and midwives do not take industrial action lightly,” Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union secretary Sarah Beaman said.

“However, dependent on the state government’s response, all protected actions will be considered if the LNP’s written and repeated commitment to public nurses, midwives and patients is not honoured.’’

While there was no industrial action pending at this point, the union vowed to fight for the present and future health workforce to stop nurses and midwives leaving the profession.

A workforce shortage has put extreme pressure on nurses on the frontline, but the state government has already cut a scheme offering $70,000 incentives to lure health workers to rural and remote areas.

It was also conducting an audit into the former Miles government’s “Big Build’’ hospital expansion.

Ms Beaman said the level of industrial action taken would depend on the government honouring their pay commitment.

But no action could be taken until after the nominal expiry date of the current Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) on March 31.

She said the government made “a clear and unequivocal commitment” last October, shortly after winning power, that nation-leading wages and conditions would continue in Queensland under the EB12 agreement.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls - Picture: Richard Walker

“This LNP commitment means Queensland nurses and midwives must continue to be the highest paid in the country,” Ms Beaman said.

“The government’s state wages policy falls significantly short of what is necessary to uphold the LNP government’s commitment to maintain nation-leading wages and conditions for Queensland Health nurses and midwives.

“We are seeking urgent clarification on how the Government intends to deliver on their promise.’’

Queensland Health nurses and midwives meet outside the 1 William St government offices on Friday. Picture: Facebook

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the government had begun negotiations on the latest EBA promptly, even before the current agreement expired, unlike the former Miles government which delayed talks on the previous pay deal for four months.

He said discussions had gone well so far but confirmed the government was offering only 3 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent a year over the next three years.

He said that because there were so many nurses and midwives, any pay rises would have a significant impact on the budget.

Mr Nicholls stressed the government was offering not just more money, but better conditions such as modern, comfortable, well-equipped accommodation in regional areas.

“Negotiations are in their early stages. We are getting on with the job and we believe it’s a fair offer,’’ he said.

“We’ll continue to negotiate respectfully with the unions in relation to delivering an outcome that not only meets the needs of the union and its members, but also meets the needs of Queenslanders and patients.’’

Originally published as State’s 74,000 nurses, midwives won’t rule out strike action over pay offer