Queensland nurses and midwives have escalated their industrial action for nation-leading wages and conditions after reaching a “breaking point” during negotiations with the Crisafulli government.
The Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) initiated stage two of industrial action from 7am today, which will see members step back from all non-clinical duties and focus on direct patient care.
They will not work overtime, answer administrative phones, restock or reorder supplies, clean or make beds, empty rubbish bins, clean equipment or spaces and collect and transport meals.
They will also take their full breaks.
“Nurses and midwives are holding our health system together through sheer heart, skill and determination,” QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said.
“We’re at breaking point, and we’re done being disrespected.
“We are over the state government’s stalling tactics and gaslighting.”
QNMU said it gave Queensland Health the three full working days’ notice to ensure contingencies are in place during stage two.
Beaman stressed that nurses and midwives were not abandoning their professional obligations, but merely refusing to do the additional duties added to their workload over the years.
QNMU began negotiations in January but, after failed talks, voted for industrial action on June 5 for the first time in 23 years.
The union wants the state government to honour its pre-election commitment of nation-leading wages and conditions.
QNMU most recently rejected the state’s offer of an 11 per cent pay increase over three years, which it claimed would see the state fall behind as the national standard for the first time in 15 years.
This is feared to impact staff retention as about 300 shifts remain unfilled each day.
“If we do not have nation-leading wages and conditions, then we will not have nurses and midwives staying in Queensland,” Beaman said.
The union is instead pushing for a 13 per cent wage increase over three years. Beaman urged the state to come to the table with a better offer.
“We have not taken this decision lightly, but the government has left us no choice,” she said.
“Fair pay. Safe conditions. Respect. That’s all we’re asking.”
Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie said the state wants nurses and health workers to have nation-leading wages, adding that they are continuing to negotiate in good faith.
