Public Health
Nurses fighting COVID-19 left out in cold by wage freeze
On the eve of International Nurses’ Day, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) has attacked plans by the NSW Government to ram through legislation for a public sector wage freeze, as early as tomorrow when parliament resumes for special sessions.
The NSWNMA, together with public sector unions representing all workers keeping NSW safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, has called on state opposition and crossbench politicians to vigorously reject any wage freeze proposals.
NSWNMA General Secretary, Brett Holmes, slammed NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet for hypocritically claiming to “always put people before numbers”, then deny workers on the COVID-19 frontline, including nurses and midwives, a modest wage increase from 1 July.
“The government cannot deny the sacrifices of frontline workers, especially when more than half of the 144 NSW Health workers who have contracted COVID-19, acquired it while at work,” said Mr Holmes.
“Thousands of nurses, midwives, other health sector workers and public servants are risking their lives daily to keep fellow citizens safe. These workers deserve recognition, not attempts by government to send wages backwards and our economy into further turmoil.
“We are all preparing for a second wave of COVID-19, yet the government is asking nurses and midwives to do more for less, putting the budget bottom line before people in need.
“The Treasurer wants to ignore the efforts of frontline workers and unions operating in good faith, by planning a wage freeze for all public sector workers. It’s a disgrace.
“Nurses have been spat on and abused, forced to deal with a lack of Personal Protective Equipment and put themselves, and their families, at risk each shift.
“As restrictions continue to ease, our community is eager to return to some form of normality, but frontline workers won’t get to share that privilege and are now expected to sacrifice even more financially.
“Some of our members have witnessed a partner become unemployed or have had their shifts reduced. With partners ineligible for welfare, many frontline workers rely on a modest pay increase to help meet rising cost of living pressures.
“The middle of a pandemic is hardly the time to be asking frontline nurses and midwives to suck it up, show up for their shifts and do even more for less.
“Taking the steps to legislate this wage freeze ahead of International Nurses’ Day (12 May) is also a horrible reflection of what our government really thinks of nurses, midwives and other public sector workers.”
The NSWNMA has begun lobbying opposition and crossbench MPs to reject the government’s public sector wage freeze.
Tricia Huston says
Such a shame ! Nurses are the back-bone of the health system , Keep the family informed and are under constant stress and at greater risk of being infected due to increased workloads .Nurses should be offered a pay increase when working in high risk areas .
Margaret Chalker says
During this crisis Nurses have gone without seeing their families, put themselves at risk. The unemployed have had a pay increase and are now protesting against isolation regulations putting all of us risk. NO we should be getting an increase not a freeze which is tantamount to a pay cut.
Adrian says
W.T.F
Why would the government do such a stupid thing, I feel for my fellow nurses.
We in South Australia are fighting for our EB at the present,
The government is showing they don’t care much for us front line workers, all we want to do is do our job, and not take it home to our loved ones.
Stand strong N.S.W let’s hope it doesn’t get nasty
Courtney says
What can we do to help fight this and provide more information to the community so that they can help us as well?
Carol furniss says
What how dare the government do this they are out there on the front line saving lives and deal with families and abuse from others and age care workers also working hard keeping they patients as safe as they can again putting they health on the line the government should be a shamed I bet they won’t freeze they waged 😡
Bib Frater says
Nurses are the lowest paid ever, especially aged care nurses who work that darn hard fir peanuts, back breaking job snd no one cares🙏💜❤️
We all need more money throughout the Nursing Profession! So, please be fair to us and give more money to survive in this world! Especially, with COVID 19
Sue kunjka says
NSW Government, you are a disgrace freezing wages for health care workers at this critical time. Elitist government . Disgusting arrogance for front line health workers.
Shell says
Why expect government to care when the Ceo of your LHD was too busy to turn up for a VC for nurse of the year awards in his own LHD
Suzanne says
Facilities are not mandatorily testing their staff. When questioned about this management have responded with it’s not necessary as staff are having their temps taken upon arrival at work.
In my mind this would be so they can deny staff acquired the virus in the workplace.
Mask fit testing is still yet to occur despite ministerial direction and P2 / N95 masks are still not available to all staff of all sizes.
Elective surgery needs to be delayed in its return until appropriate and adequate PPE is available. All patients coming for elective surgery should be tested and perhaps even asked to self isolate prior to elective surgery to protect workers and other vulnerable patients and staff.