The game of cat and mouse between the State Government and our public hospital nurses continues today (Tuesday September 24).
The NSW Government wants frontline health staff to call off today’s 24 hour strike in return for an immediate interim pay rise of 3 percent.
Nurses from hospitals in Bega, Moruya, and Batemans Bay walked off the job at 6am today, as they escalate their 15 percent pay dispute with the government.
Some local nurses jumped on a bus to Sydney early this morning to attend a big rally in the state capital and to call on the government to listen to their concerns.
President of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association at South East Reghional Hospital in Bega, Diane Lang told ARN Bega Bay, the nurses are fighting for a fair pay rise.
“Nurses and midwives are again on strike for 24 hours this time because this government continues to ignore the reality that three percent is a low wage increase for nurses,” Ms Lang said.
“It’s half a percent more than the last government which is disgusting, and dismissive, nurses need to be paid better in this economy.”
The NSW Government said the industrial action will mean some patients who have surgery scheduled for today will need to make alternative arrangements.
“I remind the community of pathways to care for non-life-threatening conditions outside of the emergency department – by first phoning Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, where you can speak to a registered nurse about your care options – potentially avoiding an unnecessary wait in the hospital,” a spokesperson said.
Ms Lang said the government is trying to scare the community.
“This government needs to stop spinning,” Lang said.
“They’re telling you we’re going to leave the health system unsafe while we have a 24 hour strike, well let me tell you, often we work with the same staffing levels that they’re going to have during the 24 hour strike, and it’s okay then why is it not okay now,” she continued.
“We’re striking to tell the community and the government we’ve had enough, we want the 15 percent pay increase and we want it now.”
Images: NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
