More than 96% of Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) members have voted to strike for the first time in decades as they ramp up the fight for improved wages and conditions.
QNMU Secretary Sarah Beaman said the strong yes vote in the EB12 Protected Industrial Action (PIA) ballot, which ended on Monday, demonstrated an “incredible show of unity and courage” in the face of repeated and unprecedented government threats.
“Many nurses and midwives on the frontline of Queensland Health are experiencing burnout, and considering leaving due to chronic understaffing, increased demand and serious concerns for those in their care,” Ms Beaman said.
“This overwhelming yes vote for Protective Industrial Action in the face of threats and the removal of rights highlights the collective strength of public nurses and midwives statewide.”
EB12 negotiations, which began earlier this year, saw Queensland Health officials deliver a revised offer late last week. While it included improvements, such as increased overtime rates paid to continuous shift workers Grade 2-9 from 1 July 2027 the introduction of permanent nightshift, and improved support for Nurse Unit Managers (NUMs) and Midwife Unit Managers (MUMs), it was not “nation-leading”, according to the QNMU.
“The courage of frontline public nurses and midwives has seen Queensland Health officials go from ‘a subsequent offer is not forthcoming’ to a ‘revised offer’ in less than a week,” Ms Beaman highlighted.
“However, under this offer there are still too many unanswered questions and missing commitments. The important working conditions and rights of public nurses and midwives also remain at risk.”
Significantly, the revised EB12 offer does not budge on one of the QNMU’s main issues: better wages. It also continues to allow for a reduction in entitlements and conditions like parental leave arrangements, flexible working arrangements, consultation rights and union access provisions to advance issues including patient and staff safety, the QNMU argue.
The QNMU is set to meet with Queensland Health officials this week to seek further clarification on many aspects of the offer, with Protected Industrial Action (PIA) preparations continuing statewide.
