Ramsay Health Care nurses in NSW hold historic work stoppages for higher wages and safer staffing.

Ramsay nurses and midwives across NSW have taken their first-ever strike action after voting against a substandard company offer for the second time.

Ramsay’s offer for a new enterprise agreement included pay rates below both cost-of-living increases and rates paid by Ramsay in Queensland.

78 per cent of Ramsay nurses voted in the ballot and 72 per cent of them voted ‘No’ to the company’s offer, which included a pay increase of 12.5 per cent over three years.

“The result sends a clear message to Ramsay that tinkering around won’t work – they need to listen and come up with an improved offer on pay and staffing,” said NSWNMA General Secretary Shaye Candish.

Industrial action has included strikes of up to four hours, bans on overtime and working during breaks, and bans on a wide range of non-clinical duties such as cleaning, making and pushing beds and some paperwork.

Industrial action in this bargaining period is regarded as ‘protected action’ by law.

“That means our members are entitled to take these actions without management taking, or threatening to take, any action against them,” Shaye said.

WIDESPREAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT

NSWNMA members have taken their case to the public and won widespread community support.

Speaking during a 4-hour strike at Ramsay’s Albury Wodonga Private Hospital in August, NSWNMA Branch President Renae Maher said staff were calling for an 18 per cent increase, along with better working conditions including improved nurse to patient ratios.

For 16 months, this has been on the table, but Ramsay Health refuses to negotiate,” Renae told ABC News.

“They will not come to the party on nurse-patient ratios or a decent pay offer.

” They’re not interested in negotiating with the staff.”

She said the hospital was struggling to recruit nurses due to the pay gap between NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

“Why would you come to Albury when Ramsay Health Queensland nurses are paid up to 14 per cent more than us?” she asked.

The ABC noted concerns that Albury Wodonga Private Hospital would lose staff to the public sector, particularly across the border in Victoria.

In June, Victorian public sector nurses and midwives accepted the state government’s offer of a 28.5 per cent wage increase across four years.

“If nothing changes, there will be a mass exodus,” Renae said.