As a result of sustained advocacy, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) has secured redundancy payments for 17 members, following the closure of their former unit.
The nurses had worked in the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Greenwich Hospital in Sydney’s North Shore. In July, the nursing staff were advised the unit would be closing in September, leaving each of them in precarious position, with no guarantee of future employment or redundancy payments.
Greenwich Hospital’s operators, HammondCare, held the view that redundancies should be offered as a last resort, against the position of the NSWNMA and members.
As a result, the NSWNMA put HammondCare on notice that they were in breach of the Fair Work Act, with a dispute being subsequently notified.
After a sustained industrial campaign, the NSWNMA secured redundancy payments for the 17 members. Payments ranged from four to 39 weeks, in addition to members’ notice periods.
The NSWNMA also received written guarantees from Northern Sydney, Sydney and South Eastern Sydney Local Health Districts of NSW Health confirming members who gained employment in these districts would also have their entitlements transferred over.
If you are an NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association member, you can reach out for assistance on a range of industrial matters, including redundancy payments. If you are not yet a member, join today and receive the protection of NSW’s largest union.