NSW Strike: Nurses and Midwives walk-off job for 24 hours


Nurses and midwives will take to the streets as part of a 24 hour strike against a wage cap and staffing conditions.

NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members will walk off the job from the 7am morning shift on Wednesday after repeated calls for safe staffing, better working conditions and fair pay.

It is the fourth time in twelve months the union will strike, following two years of hard work due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Since our first statewide strike on 15 February, nurses and midwives have gone above and beyond to put patient care ahead of their own basic needs,” NSWNMA General Secretary Shaye Candish said.

“Shift after shift they have continued, burdened by short staffing and constant requests for overtime.”

Nurses and midwives will join in on public rallies held around the state from Sydney to Albury and Broken Hill to Tweed Heads.

The union is calling for the state government to scrap the cap on public healthcare workers wages.

“The evidence is clear that wage caps are hurting public sector workers’ livelihoods and their retirement savings, and it’s time for them to be abolished,” Ms Candish said.

All life-preserving services will be maintained in public hospitals and health services during the strike.

“Our members are angry and upset, knowing so many colleagues with years of clinical experience are moving to work interstate or choosing to leave the profession,” NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Michael Whaites said.

“Nurses and midwives have endured three years of a chaotic and disruptive pandemic, but they have been overworked and undervalued by this government for much longer.”

The NSWNMA will continue to meet with the NSW government to discuss members’ demands for safe staffing ratios and improved working conditions.



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