Nurses and midwives at Healthscope commenced a series of rolling strikes this week, after the second largest private healthcare provider refused to come to the table with a fair pay offer and nurse-to-patient ratios.

Members at Newcastle Private kicked off the first of a series of rolling strikes across Healthscope hospitals, striking for 26 hours and implementing an overtime ban on Thursday 20^th March.

Their colleagues at Northern Beaches Hospital hit the streets on Monday, 24 March, followed  by nurses and midwives at Healthscope-owned hospital Norwest, who commenced their 26-hour strike on Friday, 28^th March

Canadian-controlled Healthscope, which is owned by multi-national private investment fund Brookfield, left members with no other option but to take industrial action to force their employer back to the bargaining table.

Healthscope pays nurses and midwives in Queensland 16% more than Healthscope nurses and midwives working in NSW. Healthscope nurses and midwives in NSW are also paid 2% less than nurses and midwives working for NSW Health.

As part of their demands, nurses and midwives are fighting for mandated nurse/midwife to patient ratios, a 15% one-year wage increase, 30%-night shift penalties, and improved leave entitlements.

“We are asking for 15% one of pay rise, starting from June last year but Healthscope has offered us a cumulative 13% over multiple years and we believe this is not enough.” Sarah Keeves NSWNMA Norwest Branch Secretary told radio station 2UE.

One of the Healthscope hospitals on strike this week is the controversial public-private partnership, Northern Beaches Hospital. although a private hospital, Northern Beaches still provides public health services. Healthscope’s unwillingness to match the state government’s planned public sector ratios has left members fuming.

“(The ratios we are campaigning for) are safety standards that give us the best outcomes for our patients,” Northern Beaches Hospital Branch President Sheridan Brady, told the ABC.