Thousands of Queensland nurses and midwives have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new pay deal with the state government, worth $1.8 billion.
The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) and LNP government came to an agreement in August on an enterprise bargaining deal which included an 11 per cent increase in wages over three years.
It followed 10 months of negotiations which led to about 45,000 nurses and midwives taking part in industrial action, with the union initially seeking a 13 per cent pay rise over three years.
The action included workers refusing to do tasks not related to clinical care at public hospitals and healthcare facilities around the state.
The QNMU said 83.8 per cent of Queensland Health nurses and midwives who participated in the bargaining deal ballot — which closed on Tuesday — voted ‘yes’.
While, 95 per cent of Department of Education nurses who participated also voted in favour.
The new agreement also offers overtime paid at double time for all shift workers, an increase in allowances for rural and regional nurses, 14 weeks of paid parental leave, and 10 days of domestic violence leave.
Sarah Beaman applauded union members for attending meetings, sharing their stories and taking industrial action for the first time in 23 years. (ABC News: Jack McKay)
QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman commended frontline, public nurses and midwives for taking industrial action for the first time in more than 20 years to fight for improved conditions and wages.
“The incredible collective strength of QNMU members has returned a wages and conditions offer worth $1.8 billion for Queensland Health’s more than 60,000 nurses and midwives,” Ms Beaman said.
“When this epic, 10-month EB12 campaign began, the initial state government offer stood at $900 million.
“It also included the attempted removal of rights and conditions that would have eroded the future of free health care statewide.”
The agreement will now go to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) for certification, with back pay from April 1, 2025 to be processed once the deal is certified.