That is how Deniliquin NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Associaiton branch president Jess Donaldson has summarised the demands being put to the NSW Government as important medical staff again take their fight to the public.
While strike action has not yet been ruled out, nurses are choosing to keep working while campaigning for change.
Ms Donaldson said some ‘own time’ rallies have already been held in Griffith, Wagga and Leeton, while Deniliquin-based association members promote the ‘Value Us’ campaign through badges and banners at work.
Ms Donaldson said the decision not to pursue strike action yet is because of a focus on patient care, but also because of a lack of staff.
She said this only highlights why the improvements being sought are required.
“Our aim is to make the community and decision makers aware that the system is not working,” she said.
“We’re requesting an immediate 15 per cent pay rise (in one year), which will bring us into line with nurse wages in Queensland and Victoria.
“Because we are in such close proximity to the border, we’re losing our nurses interstate because they have better pay conditions and desirable nurse to patient rations.
“Our ratios are now locked in, but they are yet to start, and now we’re six weeks in on negotiating for the other improvements.”
In addition to the 15 per cent pay rise, the NSWNMA is requesting a 30 per cent night shift loading, to bring nursing into line with other shift work industries which are male dominated.
There is also a demand to ensure that nurses get two consecutive days off between rostered blocks.
NSWNMA members say to attract and retain experienced nurses and midwives, the NSW Government must pay wages that reflect their vital work and which “respect and value the state’s largest female-dominated professions”.
“Nurses and midwives have been underpaid and undervalued by successive Coalition state governments for more than a decade, and their wages are sitting at 2008 levels in real terms,” the NSWNMA said.
“While male dominated jobs have seen significant pay increases, our most trusted professions are falling behind.
“There is clear evidence that the low pay is driving shortages of nurses and midwives across the state, and it is time that the government acted to stem the losses.
“High levels of exhaustion and a decade of wage suppression, coupled with rising cost-of-living pressures, have taken a considerable toll on the nursing and midwifery workforce across our state.
“As the largest healthcare workforce, it is essential to look at the investment needed to sustain our nursing and midwifery professions into the future. The viability of our health system depends on it.”
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