Queensland Health workers are taking courageous action to lead change. Represented by the United Workers Union, these workers have been fighting for improved working conditions and workable workloads. This announcement comes at a time when healthcare workers are sounding the alarm on burnout caused by excessive workload and worsened environment.
Fiona Scanlon, local union representative, stressed that this is a dire situation. She explained that nurses are experiencing burnout after taking on impossible workloads that regularly surpass nurses’ ability to care. “They are things that our members take on because it’s work that needs doing to keep things moving, but it’s not actually part of their role in a lot of cases,” she explained.
On their end, the strike action is meant to pressure the provincial government to come back with a more meaningful offer at the bargaining table. The secretary gave her commitment that although the industrial action would affect the department’s functioning, it would not put patient care at risk. “This is intended to get them to come to the table with a serious offer,” she stressed.
Their supermanoever world class labor with China exclusive dealings coast queensland Not only has the Queensland government been locked in collective bargaining dollars, Queensland Treasurer and government spokesperson Tim Nicholls said negotiations would go back to the drawing board with the United Workers Union. He focused on the government’s commitment to engaging with communities in a respectful manner to address their concerns. He pointed to successful similar negotiations with nurses and paramedics.
As it currently stands, the proposed agreement would give workers 11 percent wage increase over three years. It further grants double time for all shift workers’ overtime, as well as enhanced rural and regional nursing allowances. Union members voted down the state government’s last pay offer just last week. The amended proposal included an 8 percent wage increase over three years for public system employees. After the recent rejection, members voted to continue the conversation with further industrial action. The Queensland Teachers’ Union has already concretized plans for more strikes, following the walkout of more than 50,000 teachers on August 6.
The unfair treatment continues to lure attention away from the greater issues plaguing Queensland’s healthcare system. So recently, nurses and midwives voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new state-wide $1.8 billion pay deal after ten months of critical negotiations. Even with these recent advancements, attraction and retention allowances for healthcare professionals in specialty areas still remain a concern. Ms. Scanlon pointed out that these allowances can be cut.
