23 June 2022
The ANMF (SA Branch) stands in solidarity with nurses and midwives in NSW who will strike for the third time this year after the NSW Government failed to deliver on wage increases in line with inflation and staff-patient ratio requirements.
Members from 80 hospitals will stop work for between two and 24 hours next Tuesday.
Michael Whaites, spokesman for the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, told the ABC the Government's offer (including a 3 per cent pay rise) was like a "slap in the face".
"We know that nurses and midwives can't stay if their workloads are not safe," Mr Whaites said.
"So, until this parliament enacts nurse-to-patient ratios on a shift-by-shift basis, we will not see the fundamental reform that is needed in our public hospital system."
In South Australia, the State Government has recently committed to legislate staff-patient ratios. This commitment formed part of our Health Policy Position statement that we asked political parties to commit to in our pre-election Action for Health campaign.
ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said “initial conversations with the Health Minister Chris Picton had been positive about the future implementation of legislated ratios in South Australia. The Government has made a commitment to members to enshrine this legislation during their first term and we intend to hold them to account.
“Now more than ever, nurses, midwives, personal care workers and the community need increased transparency and legally enforceable minimum staffing on every shift to ensure the safe delivery of care.
“It is vital nurses, midwives and care workers are recognised and rewarded, given the enormous pressure they have been working under during the pandemic, and continue to experience as a result of the continuing COVID load, coupled with flu and respiratory illnesses”.
ANMF (SA Branch) is currently advocating for retention payments and incentives for all frontline nurses and midwives along with special measures directed to those considering retirement, relocation, or a change of career.
“The health workforce is facing critical shortages and we urgently need measures to encourage people to stay in the profession, as well as attract them to the profession and ensure we can meet safe staffing requirements moving forward,’’ Ms Dabars said.
“Retention or incentive payments of up to $3000 have already been introduced in NSW and Victoria and we will be pushing for immediate action in South Australia, the case for this has never been clearer.’’
You can get an update on the public sector Enterprise Agreement negotiations by clicking
here.