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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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