Queensland nurses and midwives will receive a pay rise just in time for Christmas in a landmark enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) reached between the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) and the Palaszczuk Government.
The EBA, which includes a wage deal that will see Queensland nurses and midwives become some of the highest paid in the country, was certified by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission late last week.
“The first increased pay packet for nurses will be paid to nurses and midwives in the week leading up to Christmas,” Queensland Health and Ambulance Services Minister Yvette D’Ath said.
“The pay increase of 4% will be backdated to 1 April 2022 and paid in a lump sum to nurses and midwives just in time for Christmas.”
The agreement includes a wage increase of 4%, 4% and 3% over three years and a cost-of-living adjustment payment each year of the agreement (capped at 3%) if CPI in the relevant year is higher than the base wage increase.
QNMU Secretary Beth Mohle said the union had worked incredibly hard to negotiate and secure a raft of improved pay and working conditions for the state’s almost 55,000 public nurses and midwives.
“As part of the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union EB11 wage agreement, Queensland public nurses and midwives will receive the most significant pay rise in the country for public sector nurses and midwives,” she said.
“This is a significant and much deserved win for Queensland’s nurses and midwives who have given their all during COVID-19 and every day.’’
The ballot for the EBA included about 55,000 Queensland Health nurses and midwives at Queensland Health (QH) facilities statewide. Of those who voted in the ballot, 92% voted in favour of the agreement.
The EBA will also include improvements such as Sunday penalty rates increasing to double time up from one and three-quarter time, and no annual leave deducted on public holidays.
“Nurses and midwives will also have the right to refuse unreasonable overtime, fatigue leave will be available for remote on call staff, the mental health allowance will be extended to more nurses, and part-time employees will have the right to have their contracted hours to be reviewed,” Ms Mohle said.
The QNMU applauded the work of QH nurses and midwives.
“Queensland’s public sector nurses and midwives are an incredible force, providing quality care in extremely challenging circumstances throughout the state. They deserve the real change reflected in this ground-breaking agreement,” Ms Mohle said.
The full EB11 agreement can be viewed at www.qnmu.org.au/EB11.
