The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (ASMOF) has advised it will proceed with planned strike action between Tuesday and Thursday this week – in breach of the orders of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).
NSW Health Minister, Ryan Park said ASMOF’s strike plans will disrupt 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.
“Preparations are now urgently underway to manage impact on our patients,” said Mr Park.
“Patients with surgeries postponed will be contacted. We remind the community that if you need advice, treatment or care and it is not a life-threatening emergency, HealthDirect should be your first call on 1800 022 222. You can continue to phone Triple Zero (000) in the event of an emergency.
“We do not want this. We reinstated the independent IRC for this very reason.
“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,” he said.
The union is seeking a 30% pay rise in total, which it says will bring remuneration in line with other states.
The Government has countered with a 10.5% increase over three years.
“I share the community’s desire to see our healthcare workers paid more – 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,” said Minister Park.
“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.”
