A slim majority of nurses have voted to support the Minns government’s 4 per cent pay proposal.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association conducted a statewide ballot, with nearly 60 per cent of members voting in favour of a 4.5 per cent salary increase, which includes a 0.5 per cent superannuation addition.
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However, the union acknowledged the close outcome as a reflection of the cost-of-living crisis.
The union’s assistant general secretary Michael Whaites said people who voted to embrace the pay proposal “don’t see the four per cent as enough”.
“But right now they’re hurting, so they’re taking what’s on the table now and continue to fight for better pay,” Mr Whaites told ABC.
This 4.5 per cent increment, in line with the Government’s Fair Pay Policy, marks the most substantial wage hike for NSW nurses and midwives in over a decade.
The Minns Labor Government had pledged to eliminate the wages cap and provide a salary boost to essential frontline health workers, including nurses and midwives.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said the government would continue to support these crucial frontline workers.
“We are committed to supporting our essential frontline workers, and we’re working hard to recruit, retain and support our workforce.”
Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said the Liberal-Naional’s wages cap eroded trust between essential workers and the government.
“(It) led to the staffing crisis. The wages cap is dead,” Ms Cotsis said.
“The people of NSW deserve world class public services. We will continue to keep people at the heart of all of our work.”
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