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Issue No. 262 | 06 May 2005 |
Rights and Wrongs
Interview: Fortress NSW Unions: Fashions Afield Industrial: Pay Dirt Politics: Infrastructure Blues History: Big Day Out International: Making History Economics: The Fear Factor Review: The Robots Revolt Poetry: The Corporation's Power
Harsh Reality � Bella Turns Pink
The Soapbox The Locker Room Parliament
Labor Council of NSW |
News Govt Gets Claws into Nurses
Both groups won special increases, in the IRC, reflecting historical under-valuing of their contributions to NSW health but, because of that, government now wants them to cop lower increases than other public sector employees. The Nurses Association and United Services Union (USU) argue such an arrangement would put their members back where they started. NSW Ambulance Service clerical delegate, Jeff Green, says workmates won't stand by and watch communications assistants discriminated against. "We are going to stand up to the Health Department and show them what we believe in," he said. "If this issue is not resolved satisfactorily our members will take industrial action." The health department is offering workers four percent annual movements over the next four years, but insisted that nurses and communications assistants settle for three percent in the first year. It also wants the first increase held back an additional six months. Nurses in NSW hospitals are halfway through a round of meetings where votes are being taken on a possible stoppage this Wednesday. "The case for nurses getting the same four percent per year rise as everyone else is perfectly reasonable," Association secretary Brett Holmes says. "In fact, it is integral to maintaining nursing as an attractive career option. "Nurses are appalled that the state government is trying to clawback much-needed gains made in recent years."
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