Mass industrial action involving thousands of health and hospital workers across ambulance, cleaning, allied health, admin, security, catering and wards will proceed tomorrow following a hearing this morning at the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.
After weighing arguments from the Union and Ministry of Health, the Commission has opted for a conciliation hearing next week.
It comes after repeated attempts by the Health Services Union to open up the State’s hospital awards and begin genuine bargaining for productivity-based pay rises have fallen on deaf ears. Under the NSW wages cap, public sector pay increase can not legally exceed 2.5 per cent.
HSU is campaigning for a 5.5 per cent pay rise to account for the impact of the pandemic, and the surging cost of living, along with a broader shift that replaces the State wage cap with genuine bargaining to reflect the enhanced skills and productivity of the health workforce.
The most recent quarterly figures showed inflation running at 3.5 per cent, with economists tipping it will exceed five per cent within months.
“Health and hospital workers are at breaking point,” said Gerard Hayes, HSU NSW Secretary. “They were exposed to COVID without a vaccine or appropriate protective equipment for months. Then they endured exhaustion and anxiety. THey have been rewarded with surging prices and a collapse in real wages.
“We are sick to the back teeth of being called heroes. Being called a hero doesn’t put money in the bank when you’re skint before pay day.
“Rents in Sydney and across the regions have surged more than 10 per cent. Mortgage rates are about to double and petrol is through the roof.
“We need meaningful action on pay.”
Gerard Hayes 0417 275 821 or Nick Lucchinelli 0422 229 032
Advisory for newsrooms
HSU paramedics are holding a stop work meeting from 7am-8am, emergency response will continue
HSU members in major metropolitan hospitals will stop work for four hours from 10am
HSU members in regional hospitals will stop work for two hours from either 10 or 11am
The following interviews and picture opportunities are available:
Metro Sydney:
10am – Mass meeting of health and hospital workers at Unions NSW (corner Sussex and Goulburn). Meeting is expected to run 90 minutes with a doorstop interview at the end.
