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Courier-Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Courier-Mail
Queensland nurses pause strike action after wage talks breakthrough
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union has announced a temporary pause in strike action following 'significant progress' in wage negotiations with Queensland Health. The direction to pause Protected Industrial Action until September 2, was sent out to members by QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman on Thursday. 'The Deputy President of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) invoked his powers under the Industrial Relations Act 2016 and issued a formal recommendation, in the strongest possible terms, that the QNMU pause all PIA for three weeks,' Ms Beaman said. The union and Queensland Health have been engaging in conciliation over a new EB deal through the QIRC since July 9. Ms Beaman said the conciliation process had advanced several key sticking points in negotiations including backpay of allowances and wages, overtime payments, classification pay points, the remote area incentive nursing package, employment security, gender equality, protection of HR policies, and workplace safety. Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union secretary Sarah Beaman. Picture: Richard Walker However, some claims remain unresolved, including overtime for all shift workers and the endorsement of midwives' allowance. The union has agreed to pause strike action from August 12 to September 2 as a 'good faith gesture'. 'If we are unable to secure a satisfactory outcome – or if the government does not continue to negotiate in good faith – our industrial action can resume at any time,' Ms Beaman said. 'If this happens, we will escalate to Stage 3 strike action across the state.' The next phase depends on whether Queensland Health comes to the table with a fair deal by the deadline. The QNMU is demanding a 13 per cent wage increase over three years, arguing that this is essential to maintain nurses as the highest paid in the nation. The state government offered a much smaller package of 3 per cent in 2025, and 2.5 per cent in 2026 and 2027. The offer was rejected and negotiations broke down. Nurses and midwives initiated industrial action, refusing to perform non-clinical duties such as making beds, filing forms, delivering meals, cleaning, or entering data. Stage 3 strike action would include work stoppages.
Sky News AU
01-07-2025
- Health
- Sky News AU
Frontline health workers warn of mass industrial action while Queensland health calls in the industrial commission to mediate pay talks
Queensland's health system is on the brink of widespread disruption as the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) threatens to escalate industrial action - with thousands of nurses and midwives prepared to walk away from non-clinical duties starting next week. The dramatic escalation comes after months of failed enterprise bargaining talks between the QNMU and the LNP state government, which have now been referred to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) in a bid to break the deadlock. Queensland Health has asked the QIRC to mediate wage negotiations, marking a significant move which signals a lack of confidence in reaching a resolution through internal discussions alone. In a statement on Monday, Health Minister Tim Nicholls confirmed his department's request for intervention. 'We remain at the table to finalise an agreement,' he said. The QNMU, which represents more than 57,000 frontline workers, has pushed for a 13 per cent pay rise over three years – rejecting the government's offer of an 11 per cent rise made up of a 3 per cent increase in 2025, followed by 2.5 per cent in 2026 and 2027, plus a proposed four-month pay incentive at the end of the deal. Union secretary Sarah Beaman welcomed the QIRC's involvement but made it clear that protected strike action would proceed. 'Following 36 EB12 negotiation meetings and around 150 hours of bargaining with the LNP state government, we will not slow down, or halt protected industrial action,' she said. 'Our members are understandably furious at the government's stalling and backtracking.' Beaman accused the state government of 'gaslighting' health workers and failing to honour its campaign promise of delivering 'nation-leading pay and conditions'. 'Nurses and midwives have had enough of the government's poor offers and attempt to erode their pay and conditions,' she said. 'We will not be gas lit, lied to or taken for fools.' The next stage of protected action – scheduled to begin Monday – would see thousands of union members refuse to perform tasks that do not impact patient care, including moving beds, completing paperwork, cleaning, and delivering meals. Strike escalation details will be communicated to Queensland Health with at least three business days' notice. Negotiations collapsed late last week, with the union claiming the government pulled 'the rug out from under us' during what was expected to be the final round of talks. Despite two rejected offers from the government, the QNMU maintains it has bargained in good faith. 'Over the past two weeks, the QNMU has again engaged in intensive, good-faith negotiations in what was yet another attempt to secure an agreement that recruits, retains and respects frontline public nurses and midwives,' Beaman said. The QNMU first launched industrial action in June - the first time in 20 years - after the government's offer was deemed inadequate. If the QIRC is unable to resolve the dispute within a reasonable timeframe, the matter may proceed to arbitration.
