Members of the Parkes Branch NSW Nurses and Midwives Association pictured in the main street of Parkes trying to rally support an increase in pay.
NSW Public Health is in the midst of a staffing crisis, which is why you may have seen members of the Parkes Branch, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, gathered on Tuesday morning in the main street of Parkes from 10am to 12pm. These members were part of an organised strike that also took place at various locations across the state.
Our nurses and midwives are burnt-out and exhausted. Shockingly, NSW nurses and midwives are the lowest paid in Australia, with other states paying nurses a significant 18 per cent more. NSW nurses are asking the NSW government for an immediate 15 per cent pay increase, so they can afford to stay in the professions and the towns they love.
Tracy Boney, President of the Parkes Branch, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, said: “We love our profession, we care, we want to make a difference for our patients and our communities.”
Tracy wants people to know that they aren’t just striking for more money. The increase in pay will also help with other worrying factors such as unsafe staffing levels, nurse to patient ratios and staff retention.
“We are living in 2024 on 2008 wages,” said Tracy, who is outraged that NSW has lost around 16,000 nurses last year alone.
To show your support for our amazing nurses and midwives, go to: https://www.nswnma.asn.au/campaigns/ratios4nsw/