Nurses plan to go ahead with a planned strike tomorrow despite the Industrial Relations Commission ordering unions immediately cease industrial action.
Earlier this afternoon, the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) ruled the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) should stop organising industrial action tomorrow and not authorise or encourage members of the union to take action
The order remains in force until 4pm on Monday, March 14.
But the NSWNMA will not comply with the orders and is pushing ahead with strike action tomorrow.
“The Council of the NSWNMA supports members to maintain the pressure so the NSW Premier listens to your claims for safe patient care and commits to nurse-to-patient ratios on every shift and safe staffing levels in maternity units,” a statement released by the NSWNMA on Facebook said.
“Individual workers are NOT targeted by the IRC with fines for disregarding any recommendations or orders they issue.
“Your employer may try to dissuade nurses and midwives from taking strike action with talk of IRC orders or distribute copies of orders. REMEMBER the community needs to hear the truth – current staffing levels are inadequate, unsafe and putting patients at risk.”
A NSW Health spokesperson said any strike action would cause disruptions and delays to health services.
“Whilst Local Health Districts have plans in place to minimise potential disruptions and delays, to ensure all those in need of emergency and urgent care continue to receive it as quickly as possible, NSW Health urges the union to comply with the orders handed down by the IRC,” the spokesperson said.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.