Thousands of QLD's public health nurses and midwives are preparing to walk off the job after pay negotiations with the State Government broke down.
It comes after a week-long voting period, in which 96.5% of Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) members voted in favour of industrial action.
The QNMU has signalled it is likely to reject the Government’s latest proposal, saying it leaves “too many unanswered questions [and] missing commitments.”
It is not yet clear when the strike will begin.
Pay deal
Negotiations between the two parties began before the state election in October 2024.
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Under the Government’s first proposal, public health nurses and midwives would receive a 3% wage increase backdated to April 2025, followed by 2.5% increases in both April 2026 and 2027, and a final 3% rise in December 2027.
The Government said the offer of backpay only stood if an “in-principle agreement” was reached by the end of the month, and without the threat of industrial action.
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The QNMU said the offer did not match the State Government’s pre-election commitment to deliver “nation-leading wages and conditions”.
Union Secretary Sarah Beaman commended members for “their collective courage” in rejecting the deal and choosing to strike, despite the Government’s threat to revoke backpay.
Queensland Health Director-General Dr David Rosengren said the Government’s offer was “generous” and reflects the state’s “commitment and dedication of nurses and midwives”.
