Here’s a summary of the news regarding the Queensland nurses’ potential strike:
Ultimatum: The Queensland nurses union has given the state government an ultimatum regarding a pay deal and is threatening strike action this week if their demands aren’t met.
Negotiations: Negotiations between the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union and the government have been ongoing as January.
Pay Disagreement: The government has offered an 8% pay rise over three years, while the union is demanding 13% over the same period. Union’s Claim: The union claims the government has been shifting its position during negotiations and withdrew previously agreed-upon terms.
Deadline: The union has given Health Minister Tim Nicholls until tuesday to agree to their terms, after wich thay will escalate to strike action the following week (week of July 7).
Past Action: Nurses haven’t gone on strike since 2002, but they recently voted in June to take protected industrial action.
* Funding Concerns: The union also suggests the state budget doesn’t allocate enough funding for the wages and conditions nurses deserve.
