Pay claim responds to nurses' concerns

Lamp, The, April, 2008

Feedback from the focus groups form the cornerstone of the NSWNA's claim for a new four-year wages and conditions agreement for NSW public health system nurses.

The Fair Conditions--Fair pay, Nurses Stay. It's that simple campaign is currently being negotiated with NSW Health.

According to NSWNA Assistant General Secretary, Judith Kiejda, a key objective of the claim is to keep experienced nurses in the profession because their clinical skills are irreplaceable and because they also play a vital role in mentoring new nurses.

The claim includes:

* A 5% per year pay rise for all public health system nurses and midwives, bringing nurses' pay into line with other health professionals with similar experience, such as physiotherapists, diversional therapists, orthoptists and exercise physiologists;

* Extra increases for nurses and midwives who have more than seven years' experience and who are working permanent full-time or part-time in classifications RN8 and above;

* A new classification at higher pay for experienced enrolled nurses;

* An increase in the penalty loading for night work from 15% to 25%;

* A 1% increase, per year of the agreement, in employer superannuation contributions, taking the current rate from 9% to 13%;

* 225 more Clinical Nurse Educators to provide more support for junior staff and new graduates;

* Easier pathways for casual and temporary employees to convert to permanent positions.

Want more details? It's all at www.nswnurses.asn.au