Shocked and offended by the NSW Government’s public sector wage freeze antics, small groups of nurses and midwives will gather, socially distanced and in their own time, outside the NSW Parliament.
After weeks of campaigning against the proposed wage freeze, members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) will surround the Parliament across the day, while more than 60 local branches will participate in actions statewide.
NSWNMA General Secretary, Brett Holmes, said members were frustrated by the hollow thank yous from Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Premier Gladys Berejiklian and led to nurses and midwives tacking action.
“Nurses and midwives are insulted the government has chosen to ignore the sacrifices they make each day at the bedside, so they will take their concerns right to the doors of parliament,” said Mr Holmes.
“Ironically, today is ‘Thank A First Responder Day’. A cruel wage freeze is the opposite of how this government should be thanking public sector workers who have persevered non-stop to get us through the COVID-19 pandemic, the summer bushfires or the crippling drought.
“Despite bullying attempts by the Treasurer, trying to buy-off nurses and midwives with a $1,000 payment, our members are steadfast against this callous public sector wage freeze.
“Nurse and midwives will be looking to key members of the upper house today to keep their commitments and block the government’s wage freeze.”