"We do not want this" — NSW's strike statement

On 7 April, the day before planned strike action by the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (ASMOF) — to run Tuesday to Thursday this week — the NSW Minister for Health released a statement, which says that the strike is in breach of the orders of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).

“ASMOF's strike plans will disrupt our hospitals and health facilities across NSW — both to emergency departments as well as planned surgeries — contrary to the union’s claims patient care will not be impacted,” the statement read. “Preparations are now urgently underway to manage impact on our patients.” The minister added that patients with surgeries postponed will be contacted.

“We do not want this. We reinstated the independent IRC for this very reason,” the statement read. “The IRC allows workers to advance their claims without the limits of the wages cap the previous government imposed, without endangering the welfare and safety of the community.”

In the statement, the minister said: “This is not something the government devised on our own — unions and workers fought for it too.”

“And we have always said our government would accept a determination of the IRC, whether it rules in our favour or not,” he added.

Acknowledging a community desire to see healthcare workers paid more, the minister said this was something “I share … it’s why we’ve offered a 10.5% multi-year wage increases (on top of the 4.5% already in pockets) and sat down with unions over many years to deliver those pay increases.

“This is not a union without options — it is inexplicable ASMOF would actively choose to jeopardise patient safety over resolving its claim in the IRC.

“I say to ASMOF, it is not too late to return to the IRC.”

The community was reminded in the statement that that if they need advice, treatment or care and it is not a life-threatening emergency, Healthdirect should be the first call on 1800 022 222. The minister also advised to continue to phone Triple Zero (000) in the event of an emergency.

Image credit: iStock.com/SDI Productions