Nurses and midwives in New South Wales are pushing ahead with significant stop-work action tomorrow despite the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) ordering them not to.
Earlier on Monday, the commission ordered nurses to call off Tuesday’s 12.5-hour strike.
However, the Nurses and Midwives Association said its members still planned to walk off the job from 7am as part of their fight for a 15 per cent pay rise.
Health Minister Ryan Park is appealing for the association to abide by the orders.
He said the disruptions would lead to longer wait-times for patients.
However, association general-secretary Shaye Candish said the state government had been given ample time to negotiate.
“Not once has the government met with us to negotiate a pay rise above their 3 per cent offer,” she said.
“Nurses and midwives do not take industrial action lightly.
“They strive to provide compassionate, high-quality care to our patients every day, but the NSW government’s refusal to value us and put a decent offer on the table has left us with no choice.”
Mr Park said it was disappointing the association was not complying with the orders of the IRC.
“Unions fought for this independent industrial court and commission, and we continue to urge the association to comply with the orders,” he said.
“There is no doubt such action will impact on our public health system, from longer waits in emergency rooms to cancelled non-emergency surgeries.”
