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04-Jun-08 14:15 [Asia Pacific]
Australian nurses threaten strike action The general secretary for the Australia’s New South Wales Nurses Association (NSWNA), in Australia has warned that nurses and midwives are angry that the government has not responded to calls for better pay and conditions.
According to newspaper the Australian, nurses are demanding a five per cent pay increase for all public hospital and community health nurses and midwives.
Other demands include a 3.8 per cent increase in pay for all permanent nurses and midwives, a figure that is above a proposed new Level 2 classification for experienced staff.
NSWNA general secretary Brett Holmes said: "Nurses and midwives have already been waiting for nearly four months for a response from NSW Health and the state government to their log of claims."
Industrial action is being considered if a response is not forthcoming, however a spokeswoman for NSW's health minister said a formal offer was due on June 4th.
In Queensland ABC News reported that the Teachers Union has stated that a lack of funding could lead to industrial action in northern parts of the state.
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