Wages war for nurses and midwives ends with $1.8 billion offer

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Queensland nurses employed by the state’s public hospitals have “overwhelmingly” voted yes to a pay offer put forward by the government, ending a 10-month battle for better wages and working conditions.

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union confirmed the tally of a ballot, with 83 per cent of members voting yes supporting the offer put forward in August for an 11 per cent wage increase over three years.

Queensland nurses and midwives have secured an 11 per cent pay increase.

The union told members this was a “huge improvement” from the government’s initial offer in May, which led to public nurses and midwives launching protected industrial action in June.

QNMU secretary Sarah Beaman said the decision showed the “incredible collective strength” of the union’s members, who had secured $1.8 billion for Queensland’s Health’s more than 60,000 nurses and midwives.

“When this epic, 10-month EB12 campaign began, the initial state government offer stood at $900 million,” Beaman said.

“It also included the attempted removal of rights and conditions that would have eroded the future of free healthcare statewide.”

The ballot closed at 5pm on Tuesday.

“Today I commend and applaud the QNMU members who stood strong,” Beaman said.

“They attended meetings, shared their stories, conducted the first industrial action in 23 years, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder throughout this campaign.”

The deal struck between the union and state government guarantees a 3 per cent pay rise from April this year, 2.5 per cent in each of the next two years, and a 3 per cent pay rise in December 2027, plus provisions for inflation.

It also includes “record-breaking” double time overtime for the frontline nurse and midwife workforce; an incentive package to attract nurses in regional areas; protections to maintain and improve paid parental leave and flexible work arrangements; and a clause preventing privatisation and outsource of Queensland Health services.

The EB12 agreement will now go to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for certification.