Relieved nurses and midwives have secured their leave entitlements in a major win for all healthcare staff at Hawkesbury Hospital.
After months of negotiations between the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) and the NSW government, an agreement has been reached allowing all staff the option to transfer their accrued annual and long service leave entitlements to their new public sector employer, NSW Health.
From July, Hawkesbury District Health Service, which has been operated by St John of God Health Care for the past eight years, will return to public hands.
NSWNMA Hawkesbury District Health Service Branch Secretary, Ben Wright, said staff were immensely relieved by this decision.
“This news comes as a great relief to my colleagues, many of whom were incredibly distressed by the thought of losing control of their leave entitlements,” said Mr Wright.
“It’s a complete turnaround. In early March, we were facing a forced leave payout, a loss of accrued sick leave entitlements and a drop in take-home pay due to changes in salary packaging arrangements. We’ve now been assured that all our sick leave will be transferred, our current salary packaging arrangements will continue for another two years, and members will have the choice to transfer their long service and annual leave entitlements.
“We are grateful for the support of the Hawkesbury community. It’s good to know that the Hawkesbury cares for us, as much as we care for the Hawkesbury. This community’s overwhelming support lifted our spirits when we despaired over the possibility of having our leave taken out of our hands.”
NSWNMA Hawkesbury District Health Service Branch Delegate, Ann Jackson, who has worked at the hospital for almost 30 years, said it showed what could be achieved when members and the community banded together.
“So many healthcare workers and their families came together to support our own-time rally last week, and it really demonstrated what a fantastic community we have in the Hawkesbury,” said Mrs Jackson.
“Time off with our families is priceless. We are so pleased the government has now recognised this and has found a solution that allows us to keep our well-earned leave entitlements.
“We are very appreciative to the NSWNMA, NSW Health and St John of God Health Care for working together to resolve this for us.”
NSWNMA General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said it was a fantastic result for Hawkesbury’s hardworking nurses and midwives.
“We thank the NSW Government and St John of God Health Care for working collaboratively with us on this issue to achieve a positive outcome for staff,” said Ms Candish.
“We know this has been an incredibly stressful and anxious time for our members, so this decision means a lot to them and their families.”
