The New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) is pushing for a 15% pay increase and improved working conditions to address the severe shortage of nurses and midwives in the state's public hospitals.
The NSWNMA is urging the state government to invest in these healthcare professionals to rebuild the public sector workforce, which has suffered under previous administrations' wage suppression policies. The association’s demands include:
- A 30% penalty rate for night shifts
- Increasing sick leave to 20 days
- 100% salary packaging
- Higher pay for midwives working in midwifery group practice
- Better work-life balance with consecutive rostered days off and no changes to published rosters without consultation
Additionally, the NSWNMA is advocating for increased funding to implement nurse-to-patient ratios across all wards and units in public hospitals, covering emergency departments, intensive care units, medical/surgical and mental health wards, maternity, and multi-purpose services.
NSWNMA General Secretary Shaye Candish stated that a 15% pay increase is justified and necessary given the current economic climate. Candish emphasized that the predominantly female nursing workforce’s pay has not kept pace with male-dominated professions, and addressing this disparity is crucial for closing the gender pay gap and providing economic security for women.
Candish highlighted the financial challenges nurses and midwives face, including high living costs and parking fees at public hospitals. She asserted that the proposed pay increase would alleviate these hardships and appropriately recognize their professional worth.
NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Michael Whaites noted that the pay rise would make NSW more competitive for nurses and midwives compared to other states like Queensland. Whaites mentioned that the proposed pay increase would reduce staff turnover, decrease overtime, and ensure better staffing levels.
Whaites also stressed the need for the NSW government to fully fund the Safe Staffing policy within this term to cover all hospitals and specialities. He welcomed the start of Safe Staffing Levels in emergency departments but pointed out that full implementation across all wards and units is essential to retain skilled nurses and midwives and attract new talent to the profession.
**Source: NSWNMA**
