UPDATE: Queensland nurses and midwives are on the brink of accepting a transformative wage deal with the Crisafulli government, following lengthy negotiations and potential industrial action. Just moments ago, the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) announced an 11% wage increase offer spread over three years, marking the largest pay rise in over a decade, set to elevate their salaries to nation-leading levels.
The union’s letter to members, released Thursday evening, details a significant breakthrough: a guaranteed 3% pay rise starting in April 2023, followed by 2.5% increases in each of the next two years, and an additional 3% rise in December 2027. This deal is expected to benefit nearly a quarter of Queensland’s nurses and midwives, providing essential financial relief amid rising living costs.
The QNMU emphasized the impact of their hard-fought negotiations, stating, “Together, we’ve shifted the government significantly since their first offer in May.” With over 150 hours of bargaining and numerous conciliation sessions with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, the union is optimistic about the consensus achieved with Queensland Health.
Key components of the agreement also include provisions for higher pay if inflation exceeds forecasts, along with backpay for wages. Notably, the deal would raise overtime pay to top-tier levels for all shift workers, enhancing compensation for essential healthcare staff. Additionally, the introduction of a new eighth pay point will elevate workers classified at Nurse Grade 5.
The journey to this point has been tumultuous. Since earlier this year, the QNMU has engaged in protected industrial action, escalating efforts in June when nurses began wearing campaign attire and distributing information about their conditions. This escalated to significant refusal of overtime and other duties by up to 48,000 unionized workers in July, as frustration mounted over stagnant government offers.
The situation prompted the government to seek conciliation last month, leading to a temporary pause in industrial action, but the union warned members to remain vigilant for a potential escalation back to Stage 3 strike action if negotiations fell through again.
With this latest development, Queensland’s healthcare workers are poised to secure a deal that not only elevates their pay but also addresses long-standing concerns regarding working conditions. The QNMU is urging its members to prepare for the next steps as they await confirmation on the acceptance of this historic offer.
Stay tuned for further updates as this crucial agreement unfolds and the implications for Queensland’s healthcare system become clearer.
