Queensland nurses and midwives are on the brink of accepting a significant bargaining agreement with the Crisafulli government after months of intense negotiations. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) announced on March 15, 2024, that an improved offer has been made, featuring an 11 percent wage increase over three years, marking the most substantial rise in over a decade.
The revised agreement includes a guaranteed 3 percent pay rise effective from April 2023, followed by 2.5 percent increases in each of the subsequent two years, culminating in another 3 percent increase in December 2027. According to the union, this deal will establish Queensland as a leader in nurse and midwife salaries across Australia.
In a letter to members, the QNMU highlighted the “huge improvement” achieved through extensive negotiations. The union emphasized that the new proposal emerged after over 150 hours of bargaining and 13 conciliation sessions with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. The union stated, “Together, we’ve shifted the government significantly since their first offer in May.”
The agreement, which includes back pay, is projected to enhance the earning potential for nearly a quarter of the state’s nurses and midwives. Additionally, it will elevate overtime pay to leading levels for all shift workers. The introduction of a new eighth pay point for the Nurse Grade 5 classification is a key feature of the proposal, allowing employees at the entry level to progress to Nurse Grade 6 by December 2027.
QNMU members had initiated protected industrial action starting in June 2023, driven by dissatisfaction with the government’s initial offers. Demonstrations included wearing campaign shirts and distributing badges and information. The actions escalated in July, when approximately 48,000 unionized workers refused to work overtime without prior notice, impacting tasks like logging patient details and maintaining cleanliness.
As negotiations progressed, the government sought conciliation through the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. The independent tribunal requested the union to suspend all industrial action for three weeks, ending on September 2. Despite this, the QNMU urged members to remain prepared for potential escalations if negotiations faltered or the government failed to negotiate in good faith.
The QNMU remains committed to advocating for its members, signaling a readiness to escalate to Stage 3 strike action if necessary. In a recent update, the union reinforced its position, stating, “If this happens, we will escalate to Stage 3 strike action across the state.”
With a historical agreement on the horizon, Queensland nurses and midwives appear set to secure a deal that not only enhances their pay but also reinforces the value of their essential roles in the healthcare system.
