NSW public sector workers have welcomed new laws improving the state’s industrial relations system, which recently passed NSW parliament.

The Industrial Relations Amendment Bill 2023 was a key election promise of the Minns Labor government, who promised to reform the state’s industrial relations to make it fairer for workers and the unions that fought for reform.

Central to this legislation was the abolition of the much-despised wages cap, which limited public sector nurses and midwives’ pay increases to 2.5% under the previous Liberal-National government.

The legislation also facilitates for negotiation between government agencies and unions to find mutually agreed improvements to pay and conditions. Previously, public sector workers were required to sacrifice improvements to conditions within their allocated 2.5% pay increase, limiting the ability for important improvements to be won.

The legislation also re-establishes the NSW Industrial Court, recreating an independent avenue through which nurses and midwives can take work health and safety issues and underpayments. The Industrial Court will be presided over by expert judges, and will be outside political influence.

NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association General Secretary, Shaye Candish, welcomed the passage of the legislation as being “much needed” for public sector nurses and midwives.

“For over a decade, nurses and midwives have borne the brunt of an unfair wages cap that limited improvements to pay and conditions,” Ms Candish said.

“The passage of this legislation marks a new age in industrial relations in our state, and will allow our union to be even more ambitious in fighting for improvements in pay and conditions for our members.”

Unions NSW Secretary, Mark Morey, echoed her sentiment, highlighting the benefits that the legislation will have on retaining frontline workers in our state.

“These reforms will assist in attracting and retaining the workforce we need to keep NSW safe, healthy and educated,” Mr Morey said.

“Not only will frontline workers now have a chance to bargain for fair pay rises that keep pace with the cost of living, they now have improved rights when it comes to seeking justice on workplace safety and underpayment.

“We thank every union activist, worker, and community member who has campaigned for change over the decade.”