Latest news with #Beaman
West Australian
08-07-2025
- Health
- West Australian
‘We're done being disrespected': Nurses ramp up action over fair pay
Thousands of nurses and midwives across Queensland have escalated their campaign for fair wages and conditions, with stage 2 of protected industrial action officially under way. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union (QNMU) has confirmed members across all Queensland Health facilities will participate in targeted action, stepping back from a range of non-clinical duties while continuing to prioritise direct patient care. QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said members were sending a clear message to Health Minister Tim Nicholls that it was now time for a new, nation-leading offer. 'Today marks a historic step in our push for a deal that recruits, respects and retains this state's frontline nursing and midwifery workforce,' Ms Beaman said. 'Nurses and midwives are holding our health system together through sheer heart, skill and determination. 'We're at breaking point and we're done being disrespected.' The latest action follows the union's rejection of the government's proposed 11 per cent pay rise over three years, with the QNMU instead pushing for a 13 per cent increase over the same period. The government's offer includes staged increases of 3 per cent in April 2025, 2.5 per cent in both April 2026 and April 2027, and a final 3 per cent in December 2027. Mr Nicholls has described the proposal as a 'nation-leading' package that includes an 'Australian-first double-time-for-overtime care package'. However, Ms Beaman said the deal would strip Queensland's nurses and midwives of their long-held position as the highest paid in the country, a status they've maintained for 15 years. She said the workforce was now escalating action to 'keep Queenslanders safe.' 'We are over the state government's stalling tactics and gaslighting,' she said. Actions under stage 2 include not performing administrative and support duties such as filing, answering phones, cleaning equipment, moving beds or entering non-clinical data into hospital systems. The QNMU has also issued specific notices for additional actions in various wards and units across the state. The union confirmed it had provided Queensland Health with the required three full working days' notice to allow for contingency planning. The industrial action has been approved by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC). Members will continue to document all clinical observations to ensure safe, continuous care. The QNMU said the latest action was in response to what it described as a failure by the government to uphold its written commitment to maintain nation-leading wages and conditions. It said that under the current offer, more than 36,000 of Queensland Health's 55,000 nurses and midwives would miss out on those wage standards. 'We have not taken this decision lightly, but the government has left us no choice,' Ms Beaman said. She said the protected industrial action is about making sure there were enough nurses and midwives to care for Queenslanders. 'Fair pay, safe conditions, respect. That's all we're asking,' Ms Beaman said. The first stage of industrial action began on June 5 with low-level visibility activities such as staff wearing pink or promotional shirts and email signature updates. Ms Beaman said the stage 2 action would be 'legal, safe, and targeted,' in response to what she described as ongoing disrespect and gaslighting from the LNP state government. She emphasised that while the action may cause some inconvenience for Queensland Health officials, patient safety would not be compromised. 'We dedicate our working lives to the provision of safe, quality health care. As such, patient safety remains our priority at all times,' she said. Ms Beaman clarified the action was not a strike and assured the public that nurses and midwives would remain on the job, continuing to deliver frontline care. 'Nurses and midwives will be focusing on direct patient care, rather than some of the many other additional duties which have been added to their workload over the years,' she said. 'Nurses and midwives will not suddenly abandon their professional obligations or their longstanding and demonstrated commitment to patients and their care. 'But we are standing strong and calling on this government to bring an end to the disrespect and dishonouring of its election commitment. 'The Premier promised frontline nurses and midwives he would respect them. It's time to make good that promise.' Mr Nicholls' office has been contacted for comment.
Sky News AU
02-07-2025
- Health
- Sky News AU
‘Take us seriously': QLD nurses and midwives to ramp up industrial action next week over pay dispute with Queensland Health
Queensland nurses will increase their industrial action from next week after demands including wage increases were not met by Queensland Health. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) is calling for a 13% wage increase over two and a half years, as well as increased support and expansion of the rural and remote workforce. QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said the union has spent more than 150 hours negotiating with Queensland Health, and they were left with no choice but to ramp up industrial action. 'Our members are furious after the repeated delays that have led us to this point,' she said. 'The only way we can make the government take us seriously is by taking stronger Protected Industrial Action.' The statewide action will include activities such as no overtime unless there has been a minimum of four hours' notice, no answering administrative phones, and no entering of Medicare details at patient admissions, along with a list of other actions. Ms Beaman has called on the government to 'break the stalemate' and meet the union's demands. 'Nurses and midwives are holding the system together through sheer heart, skill and relentless effort – without us, it doesn't function,' she said. 'The government can break the stalemate at any time by bringing a genuine offer and response to the QNMU's pay and conditions claim.' 'If we do nothing, there simply will not be enough nurses and midwives to safely staff our expanding hospital and care for you and your loved ones.' The union they believed they had found 'some common ground' with Queensland Health, until it all 'fell apart' last week. 'On the final day of talks, Queensland Health pulled the rug out from under us, declaring that everything we thought was agreed was suddenly off the table,' they said. 'This is blatant gaslighting – and we won't stand for it.' The union confirmed industrial action would begin on Tuesday, July 8 from 7 am. QNMU had been taking 'Stage 1' industrial action since June 5, which included wearing pink, showing stickers, and sharing EB12 materials, including resources and posters. The union has also made an application to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission regarding the negotiations, and confirmed industrial action will not 'compromise patient safety' or the safety of other persons.
Sky News AU
01-07-2025
- Health
- Sky News AU
Frontline health workers warn of mass industrial action while Queensland health calls in the industrial commission to mediate pay talks
Queensland's health system is on the brink of widespread disruption as the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) threatens to escalate industrial action - with thousands of nurses and midwives prepared to walk away from non-clinical duties starting next week. The dramatic escalation comes after months of failed enterprise bargaining talks between the QNMU and the LNP state government, which have now been referred to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) in a bid to break the deadlock. Queensland Health has asked the QIRC to mediate wage negotiations, marking a significant move which signals a lack of confidence in reaching a resolution through internal discussions alone. In a statement on Monday, Health Minister Tim Nicholls confirmed his department's request for intervention. 'We remain at the table to finalise an agreement,' he said. The QNMU, which represents more than 57,000 frontline workers, has pushed for a 13 per cent pay rise over three years – rejecting the government's offer of an 11 per cent rise made up of a 3 per cent increase in 2025, followed by 2.5 per cent in 2026 and 2027, plus a proposed four-month pay incentive at the end of the deal. Union secretary Sarah Beaman welcomed the QIRC's involvement but made it clear that protected strike action would proceed. 'Following 36 EB12 negotiation meetings and around 150 hours of bargaining with the LNP state government, we will not slow down, or halt protected industrial action,' she said. 'Our members are understandably furious at the government's stalling and backtracking.' Beaman accused the state government of 'gaslighting' health workers and failing to honour its campaign promise of delivering 'nation-leading pay and conditions'. 'Nurses and midwives have had enough of the government's poor offers and attempt to erode their pay and conditions,' she said. 'We will not be gas lit, lied to or taken for fools.' The next stage of protected action – scheduled to begin Monday – would see thousands of union members refuse to perform tasks that do not impact patient care, including moving beds, completing paperwork, cleaning, and delivering meals. Strike escalation details will be communicated to Queensland Health with at least three business days' notice. Negotiations collapsed late last week, with the union claiming the government pulled 'the rug out from under us' during what was expected to be the final round of talks. Despite two rejected offers from the government, the QNMU maintains it has bargained in good faith. 'Over the past two weeks, the QNMU has again engaged in intensive, good-faith negotiations in what was yet another attempt to secure an agreement that recruits, retains and respects frontline public nurses and midwives,' Beaman said. The QNMU first launched industrial action in June - the first time in 20 years - after the government's offer was deemed inadequate. If the QIRC is unable to resolve the dispute within a reasonable timeframe, the matter may proceed to arbitration.
The Advertiser
05-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Nurses warn pink protest for better pay could escalate
Nurses are expected to escalate their protest for better pay over the coming weeks as union members take industrial action for the first time in two decades. Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union members began protected industrial action on Thursday, wearing pink into hospitals to voice their demands. The 45,000-strong union is demanding the Queensland government follow through on its 2024 election commitment of "nation-leading" wages for the health workforce. The state government's public sector wages offer is currently three per cent in April 2025, 2.5 per cent in April 2026 and 2027, and an extra three per cent in December 2027. The union said 66.7 per cent of nurses and midwives would be paid less than their Victorian counterparts by the end of the agreement. It is demanding that the current offer be increased. "You have a government saying that they love nurses and they respect nurses, that is not being shown in the offers being put forward," union secretary Sarah Beaman told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "We are not being unreasonable. "We are not seeking a pat on the head, all (nurses) want is an offer that actually maintains the (government's) commitment." The first stage of the industrial action is wearing pink to start conversations about the union's demands but Ms Beaman warned it will likely escalate if demands are not met. "Activity launched today will escalate in the coming weeks, if the state government continues to threaten the rights of nurses and wives," she said. Further industrial action could include work bans but for now the pink campaign will not impact the delivery of health care, Ms Beaman said. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the state government has made two offers to the union, including double time for overtime and an 11 per cent over three-year wage increase. "We believe that delivers on our election commitment to make sure that our Queensland nurses and midwives have nation-leading wages and conditions," he told reporters in Rockhampton. Mr Nicholls said the government will continue negotiating with the union over the next 10 days. Nurses are expected to escalate their protest for better pay over the coming weeks as union members take industrial action for the first time in two decades. Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union members began protected industrial action on Thursday, wearing pink into hospitals to voice their demands. The 45,000-strong union is demanding the Queensland government follow through on its 2024 election commitment of "nation-leading" wages for the health workforce. The state government's public sector wages offer is currently three per cent in April 2025, 2.5 per cent in April 2026 and 2027, and an extra three per cent in December 2027. The union said 66.7 per cent of nurses and midwives would be paid less than their Victorian counterparts by the end of the agreement. It is demanding that the current offer be increased. "You have a government saying that they love nurses and they respect nurses, that is not being shown in the offers being put forward," union secretary Sarah Beaman told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "We are not being unreasonable. "We are not seeking a pat on the head, all (nurses) want is an offer that actually maintains the (government's) commitment." The first stage of the industrial action is wearing pink to start conversations about the union's demands but Ms Beaman warned it will likely escalate if demands are not met. "Activity launched today will escalate in the coming weeks, if the state government continues to threaten the rights of nurses and wives," she said. Further industrial action could include work bans but for now the pink campaign will not impact the delivery of health care, Ms Beaman said. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the state government has made two offers to the union, including double time for overtime and an 11 per cent over three-year wage increase. "We believe that delivers on our election commitment to make sure that our Queensland nurses and midwives have nation-leading wages and conditions," he told reporters in Rockhampton. Mr Nicholls said the government will continue negotiating with the union over the next 10 days. Nurses are expected to escalate their protest for better pay over the coming weeks as union members take industrial action for the first time in two decades. Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union members began protected industrial action on Thursday, wearing pink into hospitals to voice their demands. The 45,000-strong union is demanding the Queensland government follow through on its 2024 election commitment of "nation-leading" wages for the health workforce. The state government's public sector wages offer is currently three per cent in April 2025, 2.5 per cent in April 2026 and 2027, and an extra three per cent in December 2027. The union said 66.7 per cent of nurses and midwives would be paid less than their Victorian counterparts by the end of the agreement. It is demanding that the current offer be increased. "You have a government saying that they love nurses and they respect nurses, that is not being shown in the offers being put forward," union secretary Sarah Beaman told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "We are not being unreasonable. "We are not seeking a pat on the head, all (nurses) want is an offer that actually maintains the (government's) commitment." The first stage of the industrial action is wearing pink to start conversations about the union's demands but Ms Beaman warned it will likely escalate if demands are not met. "Activity launched today will escalate in the coming weeks, if the state government continues to threaten the rights of nurses and wives," she said. Further industrial action could include work bans but for now the pink campaign will not impact the delivery of health care, Ms Beaman said. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the state government has made two offers to the union, including double time for overtime and an 11 per cent over three-year wage increase. "We believe that delivers on our election commitment to make sure that our Queensland nurses and midwives have nation-leading wages and conditions," he told reporters in Rockhampton. Mr Nicholls said the government will continue negotiating with the union over the next 10 days. Nurses are expected to escalate their protest for better pay over the coming weeks as union members take industrial action for the first time in two decades. Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union members began protected industrial action on Thursday, wearing pink into hospitals to voice their demands. The 45,000-strong union is demanding the Queensland government follow through on its 2024 election commitment of "nation-leading" wages for the health workforce. The state government's public sector wages offer is currently three per cent in April 2025, 2.5 per cent in April 2026 and 2027, and an extra three per cent in December 2027. The union said 66.7 per cent of nurses and midwives would be paid less than their Victorian counterparts by the end of the agreement. It is demanding that the current offer be increased. "You have a government saying that they love nurses and they respect nurses, that is not being shown in the offers being put forward," union secretary Sarah Beaman told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "We are not being unreasonable. "We are not seeking a pat on the head, all (nurses) want is an offer that actually maintains the (government's) commitment." The first stage of the industrial action is wearing pink to start conversations about the union's demands but Ms Beaman warned it will likely escalate if demands are not met. "Activity launched today will escalate in the coming weeks, if the state government continues to threaten the rights of nurses and wives," she said. Further industrial action could include work bans but for now the pink campaign will not impact the delivery of health care, Ms Beaman said. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the state government has made two offers to the union, including double time for overtime and an 11 per cent over three-year wage increase. "We believe that delivers on our election commitment to make sure that our Queensland nurses and midwives have nation-leading wages and conditions," he told reporters in Rockhampton. Mr Nicholls said the government will continue negotiating with the union over the next 10 days.
West Australian
05-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Nurses warn pink protest for better pay could escalate
Nurses are expected to escalate their protest for better pay over the coming weeks as union members take industrial action for the first time in two decades. Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union members began protected industrial action on Thursday, wearing pink into hospitals to voice their demands. The 45,000-strong union is demanding the Queensland government follow through on its 2024 election commitment of "nation-leading" wages for the health workforce. The state government's public sector wages offer is currently three per cent in April 2025, 2.5 per cent in April 2026 and 2027, and an extra three per cent in December 2027. The union said 66.7 per cent of nurses and midwives would be paid less than their Victorian counterparts by the end of the agreement. It is demanding that the current offer be increased. "You have a government saying that they love nurses and they respect nurses, that is not being shown in the offers being put forward," union secretary Sarah Beaman told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "We are not being unreasonable. "We are not seeking a pat on the head, all (nurses) want is an offer that actually maintains the (government's) commitment." The first stage of the industrial action is wearing pink to start conversations about the union's demands but Ms Beaman warned it will likely escalate if demands are not met. "Activity launched today will escalate in the coming weeks, if the state government continues to threaten the rights of nurses and wives," she said. Further industrial action could include work bans but for now the pink campaign will not impact the delivery of health care, Ms Beaman said. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the state government has made two offers to the union, including double time for overtime and an 11 per cent over three-year wage increase. "We believe that delivers on our election commitment to make sure that our Queensland nurses and midwives have nation-leading wages and conditions," he told reporters in Rockhampton. Mr Nicholls said the government will continue negotiating with the union over the next 10 days.
