More talks for nurse fight
NSW nurses have secured interim pay rise as their union enters negotiations with the government.
The New South Wales Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA) has accepted a recommendation by the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) to enter four weeks of negotiations with the state government.
The decision was made following a vote by the union’s public sector members.
As part of the agreement, NSW Health will reportedly provide an interim 3 per cent wage increase for nurses, retroactive to 1 July 2024.
The pay increase is intended to temporarily halt industrial actions while negotiations continue.
NSWNMA organised two strikes in September to protest what the union saw as an inadequate pay rise.
Despite these actions, the union ultimately agreed to the IRC's recommendation to seek a more favourable outcome through ongoing discussions.
Michael Whaites, Acting General Secretary of the NSWNMA, has told reporters that while the interim pay rise is a positive step, “this was not the final outcome” and that the union remains focused on achieving better pay and conditions, including a 30 per cent night shift penalty to align with other states.
The NSW government says no further industrial actions affecting patients will occur while the discussions and arbitration processes are underway.
More details are accessible here.