As a result, the union began small-scale industrial action in early June, and confirmed on Wednesday they would commence Stage 2 protected industrial action from Tuesday.
Union members employed by Queensland Health can choose to undertake a range of actions, including declining overtime without four hours’ notice, refusing data entry, and forgoing tasks such as making beds, emptying rubbish bins and cleaning equipment.
QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said members had been left with no choice but to commence further protected industrial action.
“We have spent more than 150 hours in negotiations outlining a pathway for the government to ensure Queensland recruits, retains and respects its nurses and midwives,” Beaman said.
“Nurses and midwives are holding the system together … without us, it doesn’t function.”
QNMU members at the Labor Day march in Brisbane.Credit: Courtney Kruk
Beaman said the stage 2 action was designed to inconvenience the government but would not put the community’s safety at risk.
“The actions are not strikes or walking off the job … This is about making sure the government takes us seriously,” she said.
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The Crisafulli government’s budget handed down last week included $4.7 billion for hospital expenditure and $116.8 billion for health services, plus 4500 extra health workers.
The premier described it as a record budget, but said there is also a need to show financial restraint.
“Part of [the budget] involves making sure that we have the financial capacity to retain those nurses and respect them, but also employ a whole heap more of them,” Crisafulli said.
“That’s the balance we’re seeking to find.”
