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Striking NSW nurses vote for new round of industrial action | Striking NSW nurses vote for new round of industrial action |
(2 months later) | |
Thousands of nurses from 180 NSW hospitals have voted during a statewide strike to launch a fresh round of industrial action in their fight for patient-staff ratios. | Thousands of nurses from 180 NSW hospitals have voted during a statewide strike to launch a fresh round of industrial action in their fight for patient-staff ratios. |
Three thousand nurses and midwives in Sydney, and 2,000 in regional centres, voted on Wednesday to continue their campaign on 17 September. | Three thousand nurses and midwives in Sydney, and 2,000 in regional centres, voted on Wednesday to continue their campaign on 17 September. |
The details of what format the action will take is yet to be determined. | The details of what format the action will take is yet to be determined. |
The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) wants the government to guarantee staff-to-patient ratios and mandate a four-hour cap on patient contact time per eight-hour shift in community health services. | The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) wants the government to guarantee staff-to-patient ratios and mandate a four-hour cap on patient contact time per eight-hour shift in community health services. |
Addressing hundreds of nurses in western Sydney, the NSWNMA secretary, Brett Holmes, said Wednesday marked a "pivotal day in the campaign". "We never willingly walk away from our patients but this state government has left us nowhere else to turn," Holmes told a rally in Sydney. "So far the O'Farrell government hasn't given an inch." | Addressing hundreds of nurses in western Sydney, the NSWNMA secretary, Brett Holmes, said Wednesday marked a "pivotal day in the campaign". "We never willingly walk away from our patients but this state government has left us nowhere else to turn," Holmes told a rally in Sydney. "So far the O'Farrell government hasn't given an inch." |
He said it was unlikely improved staff-to-patient ratios would be part of the next industry award. | He said it was unlikely improved staff-to-patient ratios would be part of the next industry award. |
"In the next couple of weeks it's likely that you will have a new award for 2013 until 2014, and with it a pay increase," Holmes said. | "In the next couple of weeks it's likely that you will have a new award for 2013 until 2014, and with it a pay increase," Holmes said. |
"That award will not contain improvements or extensions to our ratio system because the government will have abused its large parliamentary majority." | "That award will not contain improvements or extensions to our ratio system because the government will have abused its large parliamentary majority." |
Wednesday's strike action is staggered through the day, with some nurses walking off the job for as long as 24 hours. | Wednesday's strike action is staggered through the day, with some nurses walking off the job for as long as 24 hours. |
Many hospitals are running at minimum staffing levels as a result. | Many hospitals are running at minimum staffing levels as a result. |
The Unions NSW secretary, Mark Lennon, said the government's inaction on ratios was part of a wider attack on the public sector. | The Unions NSW secretary, Mark Lennon, said the government's inaction on ratios was part of a wider attack on the public sector. |
"This government treats its employees with contempt and this is a prime example," Lennon told the rally. | "This government treats its employees with contempt and this is a prime example," Lennon told the rally. |
The NSW government says it is expanding its nursing and midwifery workforce, boosting frontline services and making sure wages keep pace with other public sector employees. | The NSW government says it is expanding its nursing and midwifery workforce, boosting frontline services and making sure wages keep pace with other public sector employees. |
But the opposition health spokesman, Andrew McDonald, said nurse-patient ratios had "revolutionised" patient care and should be rolled out across the state. | But the opposition health spokesman, Andrew McDonald, said nurse-patient ratios had "revolutionised" patient care and should be rolled out across the state. |
Sarah, a registered nurse from Shellharbour hospital, said the campaign was "all about" boosting patient care. "They don't get the proper care they're supposed to," she said. | Sarah, a registered nurse from Shellharbour hospital, said the campaign was "all about" boosting patient care. "They don't get the proper care they're supposed to," she said. |
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