Queensland nursing workforce fights to become nation's best paid

Nurses and midwives play an invaluable role in the nation’s healthcare system, but are they being fairly rewarded for the work they do? The Queensland nursing workforce is seeking fair recognition of their work. They are calling for the state government to honour its election commitment of nation-leading wages.

The call comes as queensland nurses and midwives seek improved pay and conditions as part of a new enterprise agreement currently being negotiated with the state government. The previous enterprise agreement expired on 31st of March.

Recently, 50,000 Queensland healthcare workers took part in industrial action for the first time in 23 years. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives union has warned unless an agreement is reached, further action may be taken.

So, what exactly are Queensland health workers calling for?

What is the Queensland nursing workforce seeking?

Additional pay

At the heart of the nurses’ demands is that the government honour it’s commitment at the 2024 election of nation leading wages for the healthcare workforce.

Put simply, they are seeking a 13 per cent wage rise over the next 3 years.

The government has offered a 3 per cent wage rise in the first year. This will be followed by a 2.5 per cent wage rise in the second year. In the third year, they will receive another 2.5 per cent pay rise.

The government has also pledged increased overtime wages for shift workers and increased support for managers. It also pledged to employ nurses on permanent night shifts.

However, the union says that for most nurses, this wage increase will not lead to nation leading pay.

Maintained and improved conditions

Nurses in the state are also concerned about government plans to remove protections that guarantee parental leave and flexible work arrangements. Also of concern are plans to allow work to be contracted out to external providers.

They also want to see action taken to address gender pay inequity and workforce shortages in the state.

The union has warned that if pay and conditions aren’t improved, Queensland may struggle to attract and retain quality healthcare staff. This could lead to increased wait times for patients.

What are the next steps?

The union has flagged the possibility that they will consider work bans if they do not receive an improved offer in the next week. Work bans could involve nurses and midwives refusing to perform some of their normal tasks that do not involve clinical care. These could include bed making, data entry, administration, restocking and cleaning of equipment.

What is the government’s response?

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls has denied the government’s pay offer fails to meet it’s election commitment.

The union argued 66% of Queensland nurses would be paid less than their Victorian counterparts under the new pay agreement.

However, Mr Nicholls disputed this. He said a position 5.5 registered nurse in Queensland could be paid $25,000 more than someone in an equivalent position in Victoria.

Debate continues over how Queensland’s offer compares to other states. However, the industrial action has brought renewed attention to the essential contribution nurses and midwives make to our health system.

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