October 30, 2024

Wage freeze

Sydney Hospital nurses blast Berejiklian Government

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Nurses from Sydney Hospital & Sydney Eye Hospital rallied outside NSW Parliament, insulted and outraged over the current public sector wage freeze.

Joined by members of the NSW Labor caucus and other state politicians, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members protested the Berejiklian Government’s decision to force an insulting 0.3% increase on them. This was despite the Government previously promising nurses and midwives a 2.5% annual rise.

NSWNMA Sydney Hospital & Eye Hospital Branch Secretary, Debbie Ross, said members were extremely frustrated at the decision and felt compelled to take action.

“The Berejiklian Government claims to value us and our work but then hit us with a 0.3% wage freeze. How is that fair? It’s an insulting contradiction and ignores the significant role we play in public health,” said Mrs Ross.

“This is not how frontline workers should be treated during a global health pandemic. We’re all putting our lives on the line for our community. This decision completely ignores our dedication and commitment to delivering health outcomes for patients.

“The Berejiklian Government needs to see how angry we are and why nurses won’t be disrespected like this.”

Outraged Belmont nurses forced to do more for less

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Nurses and midwives from the Belmont branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) have expressed their anger at the Berejiklian Government’s public sector wage freeze.

The members are insulted by the Berejiklian Government’s decision to force through a 0.3% wage increase, despite previously promising 2.5%.

NSWNMA Belmont Hospital Branch President, Rachel Howell, said branch members feel outraged and deserved more support from the government.

“Nurses and midwives have selflessly put their own safety at risk to navigate NSW through the pandemic and yet again, we are expected to do more for less,” said Ms Howell.

“After relying on nurses and midwives through COVID-19, it is clear the Berejiklian Government does not value the important work we do.

“Not only does this decision disrespect the work we do, it sends a message to future nurses and midwives, entering the public health system, that they are not valued.”

“It’s really insulting”: Nepean nurses and midwives fight wage freeze

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Enraged members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) have gathered in Penrith as part of rolling actions over the Berejiklian Government’s public sector wage freeze.

Members of the NSWNMA Nepean Hospital and Nepean Mental Health branches are angered by the 0.3% pay offer, as some nurses grapple with a rise of just 7 cents an hour, or $2.90 per week.

NSWNMA Nepean Hospital Branch Secretary, Alicia Rodgers, said the decision has had a heavy impact on the morale of nurses and midwives.

“This 0.3% offer came as an absolute shock. We didn’t expect this level of disrespect,” said Ms Rodgers.

“The Berejiklian Government committed to delivering public sector workers our annual 2.5% increase and now they have broken that promise to nurses and midwives. How heartless can they be after all we’ve endured this year?

“Day in, day out, nurses and midwives turn up to work to fight COVID-19, knowing full well the risk of exposing ourselves and our families. This is not how you treat our dedication and commitment.”

NSWNMA Nepean Mental Health Branch President, Monica Singh, said branch members were feeling dejected after an especially tough year for nurses specialising in mental health.

“It’s truly insulting. The pandemic has presented many different challenges, rapid change and an increase in services with limited support from the government, particularly for mental health nurses,” said Ms Singh.

“We are now expected to do more for less. A 0.3% wage freeze is the thanks we get? It’s really insulting.”

“It’s left a bitter taste”: Shellharbour nurses take action against wage freeze

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Provoked by the Berejiklian Government’s public sector wage freeze, nurses and midwives rallied near Shellharbour Hospital.

NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members said they felt rejected and undervalued by the Berejiklian Government’s decision to offer an insulting 0.3% wage increase, despite previously promising 2.5%.

NSWNMA Shellharbour Hospital Branch Secretary, Amanda Wells, said members felt compelled to hold a rally and highlight their extreme disappointment in the decision.

“We were just gobsmacked. After supporting our community through one of the toughest years, it’s still shocking to find out how little the Berejiklian Government values our contribution,” said Ms Wells.

“It’s incredibly frustrating and has left a bitter taste in our mouths.

“The 0.3% wage freeze isn’t just going to impact public sector workers. Our whole community is already struggling with the economic impacts from COVID-19 and this wage freeze will only inflict more harm.

“We won’t take this decision lying down.”

Bega nurses and midwives fuming at wage freeze

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Fed up nurses and midwives gathered near South East Regional Hospital in Bega to voice their anger against the Berejiklian Government’s public sector wage freeze.

NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members feel rejected and undervalued by the Berejiklian Government’s decision to offer an insulting 0.3% wage increase, despite previously promising 2.5%.

NSWNMA SERH Branch President, Di Lang, said branch members were livid and irate at the decision and felt compelled to take action.

“Our branch is rallying today to show the Berejiklian Government and local Liberal MP, Andrew Constance, just how angry we are at being told to cop this wage freeze after all we’ve been through protecting and supporting the community,” said Ms Lang.

“We’re incredibly frustrated and think it’s an absolute disgrace.”

NSWNMA SERH Branch Secretary, Nadine Quennell, said the outcome was bitterly disappointing with some nurses now forced to accept an increase of just 7 cents per hour or $2.90 per week.

“How dare the Berejiklian Government slap us with this insulting offer. We have put our lives on the line to keep NSW safe during the pandemic and deserve better than this kind of punishment,” said Ms Quennell.

“The wage freeze is just plain wrong and we won’t take this decision lying down.”

Westmead nurses livid over wage freeze 

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Outraged members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) gathered outside Westmead Hospital, incensed by the public sector wage freeze pursued by the Berejiklian Government.

Westmead Hospital has been at the forefront of the medical response to COVID-19, prompting many nurses and midwives to feel demoralised by a 0.3% pay offer from the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, instead of 2.5% as promised by the government.

Members of the NSWNMA Westmead Hospital and Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children branches were stunned by the wage freeze, which equates to just 7 cents per hour or $2.90 per week for some nurses.

Kay Burns, NSWNMA Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children Branch Secretary, said it was evident the Berejiklian Government did not value the vital work of nurses and midwives battling COVID-19 head on.

“Our members were treating the state’s first COVID-19 patients in intensive care, leading the fight against a global health pandemic that came at us fast and furious,” said Ms Burns.

“If NSW is touted as the ‘gold standard’ in COVID-19 response and suppression, why aren’t nurses and midwives getting the pay we have worked ourselves into the ground for? It’s offensive and we are livid. 

Joseph Di Santi, Westmead Hospital Branch President, concurred with Kay’s sentiments. 

“The wage freeze affects everyone,” he said. “My colleagues and I feel very disheartened by this wage freeze”. 

Both branches have pledged to continue fighting for fair wages for their members. 

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