Small groups of nurses and midwives will gather (social distancing) today outside NSW Parliament to express their anger at the state government’s public sector wage freeze.
Following weeks of gathering support online to halt the wage freeze, members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) will be positioned at the gates of parliament throughout the day to meet with supportive politicians and thank them for standing up for frontline workers.
This coincides with activities statewide where more than 60 NSWNMA branches will be taking action today, appalled by the government’s wage freeze plan and attempt to silence them with a $1,000 payment.
NSWNMA General Secretary, Brett Holmes, said members were fed up with the hollow expressions of thanks from the Treasurer and Premier which led to their decision to take action on the streets of NSW.
“Nurses and midwives are insulted the government has chosen to ignore the sacrifices they make each day at the bedside, so they’re taking their frustrations to the doors of parliament,” said Mr Holmes.
“Today is Thank A First Responder Day and a wage freeze is not how the government should be thanking public sector workers who have worked non-stop to get us through this pandemic.
“Despite the bullyboy tactics from Treasurer Dominic Perrottet trying to buy off nurses and midwives through a $1,000 payment, our members are steadfast against this callous wage freeze.
“Our members are grateful for the commitments against a wage freeze from key members of the Legislative Council who, unlike the government, understand the devastating impact it will have on our communities.
“They truly appreciate the contribution nurses and midwives have made during this pandemic and have offered their support to block the government regulation.
Nurses and midwives are calling on all politicians to reject the government’s wage freeze when parliament resumes today.
