“This is the first time in my life I’ve ever marched for anything because I am so passionate about nursing and it’s breaking my heart to see what’s happening in the nursing profession at the moment,” one nurse told 9News.
“We’ve been doing it tough throughout this pandemic keeping the hospital system afloat, we have been short-staffed and we are unpaid and overworked and we need this government to start listening,” another said.
Nurses are demanding a 4.75% pay rise and improved working conditions.
The strike comes after concerns about the health and safety impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses and midwives.
NSWNMA General Secretary, Brett Holmes, said earlier nurses and midwives were demanding the NSW government address the growing patient safety concerns being raised by frontline health staff.
“Our members are increasingly frustrated at the government’s inaction to address the serious issues they are raising shift after shift, but seemingly falling on deaf ears,” said Mr Holmes.
He said the NSWNMA has had no offer from the government since meeting with Premier Dominic Perrottet on February 21.
During today’s strike, the NSWNMA said life-preserving services will be maintained in all public hospitals and health services.
It also said members in flood affected areas will be focusing efforts on their local crises, where they are needed.
