Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) marched through the Lismore CBD on Wednesday after failing to reach a deal with the NSW Government over the 4 weeks of negotiations at the Industrial Relations Commission.

Minister for Health, The Hon Ryan Park MP has related a list of items he has proposed to alleviate the nurses and midwives situation in Lismore and around the state.  

As the negotiations are still underway, Minister Park has not issued a media release, as written information can muddy negotiations underway; however, he has made some information known after speaking with the press on Wednesday, and further details were obtained from a spokesperson at his office on Thursday.

Minister Park revealed the NSWNMA had rejected numerous offers during the negotiations, including a 10.5% pay increase.

The spokesperson explained that the 10.5% increase is the standard rate offered to public servants across the board. 

There was outrage due to the increased offer of a 40% wage rise highlighted for NSW Police. However, that level of increase was only made to certain members of the police force. The 10.5% was not spread evenly, and the police had implemented certain cost-saving initiatives, which assisted with the amount of recompense.

Last year, the NSWNMA produced a report outlining ways to reduce costs in their industry; however, on Wednesday, the Minister said that the report was not based on sound modelling.

(According to statistics released in September, 105,611 nurses are employed in NSW)

Another offer was made to increase the pay of first and second-year nurses by 16%, and spread the 15% pay rise over three years.

“What we tried to do was look at ways in which we could expand the amount available but slow down some of the other reforms that we were implementing,” MP Park said.

"We said very clearly that this reform is often around choices and priorities."

This meant that another factor, namely the proposed safe staffing rollout, would need to be delayed.

(Rallying in Lismore on Wednesday. Image Credit: Penelope Anderson)

The nurses rejected this offer, stating the 15% rise was needed stat, as were safe staffing levels.

The spokesperson for the minister pointed out that safe staffing levels have taken eight years to implement in other jurisdictions. They are attempting to change them in the current term of Parliament - less than 4 years, which they describe as ambitious.

An immediate 15% pay rise of that magnitude would cost over $6 billion.

Minister Park said he was disappointed the NSWNMA had decided to strike again. The government intends to proceed with formal arbitration when both parties appear before the commission once more in 12 days.

“I want this issue resolved for nurses and midwives, and I want the service to go back to functioning as the best health service in the world,” he said.

The office of the minister was unable to confirm why the NSWNMA went back to strike when they had made a promise not to.

Asked about the 3% pay increase that they had not yet received, the spokesperson said that they should have received it on Thursday unless their pay cycle is due next week.

(Excerpt from the original story earlier this week.)

Other aspects discussed were doubling rural health incentives for our hardest and most critical roles to fill.

 On 25th Sept, a $20,000 relocation bonus was offered to health workers relocating to rural and regional areas.

Nine regional NSW scholarships have also been put on offer to attract workers to the health industry, and give them opportunities to upskill.

In regards to accommodation, “The Government will secure approximately 120 dwellings, a proportion of which will be situated in Lismore, which may include the building of new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters, and possible purchase of suitable properties such as motels.”

July 17th saw a media release announcing that “Lismore Base Hospital is currently undertaking recruitment as part of the Safe Staffing Levels roll out.” Comments as to whether they were able to fill or keep these posts filled were not mentioned.

Minister Park has visited Lismore and has only just returned. The spokesperson said he is acutely aware of the particular impact that floods had on healthcare here. 

On discussing the particular needs of the Northern Rivers with the temptation of QLD nursing wages only hours away, the minister's hands are tied. The explanation - under the liberals, there were 12 years of wage suppression - the wage cap.

The issue is that it cannot be undone, and fixing the problem in a short period of time is impossible. It was described as sad and unfortunate, but it is the fiscal reality that's facing the government. 

You can read the full article on Wednesday's NSWNMA strike here.