Junior Doctors Strike in New South Wales Amidst Pay Dispute
NSW hospitals experience significant disruptions as thousands of junior doctors demand better pay and working conditions.
Hospitals in New South Wales (NSW) are facing considerable disruption as approximately 3,500 junior doctors initiated a three-day strike, demanding improved pay and working conditions.
This industrial action commenced on Tuesday, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of elective surgeries and the closure of emergency beds across the state.
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (ASMOF) is representing the striking doctors, who are advocating for a range of changes, including safer working hours, compensation for unsociable shifts, and a 30% pay rise to align their salaries with those of their counterparts in other states.
Currently, the NSW government has proposed a 10.5% increase over three years, which the union has deemed inadequate.
At a rally held outside health headquarters in St Leonards, junior doctor Grace LeMarquand expressed concerns over chronic understaffing, describing shifts lasting up to 13 hours daily, often with back-to-back shifts due to staffing shortages.
Rehabilitation registrar Sean Smith highlighted that he might relocate to Queensland if a more favorable deal is not reached, emphasizing the need for pay equity rather than merely a pay rise.
In an effort to avert the strike, Premier Chris Minns and Health Minister Ryan Park met with union representatives shortly before the strike began.
During these discussions, Park acknowledged that the current starting salary for junior doctors, which can be as low as $76,000 per year or $38 per hour, does not reflect their skill set or educational background.
However, ASMOF rejected the government's proposal for separate negotiations for junior doctors, underscoring its commitment to equitable working conditions for all medical professionals.
The union suggested an interim pay increase of 10% retroactively from June as a starting point for negotiations, which was also declined by the government.
The strike's impact has already led to the cancellation of approximately 370 elective surgeries and 3,020 outpatient appointments, as well as interruptions to chemotherapy treatments for 486 cancer patients.
In total, 21 hospital beds have been closed, including 20 in emergency department short-stay units.
In response to the labor withdrawal, recruitment websites for locum doctors are offering up to $180 per hour for junior medical officers willing to cover overnight shifts during the strike.
Matthew Daly, acting secretary for NSW Health, stated that some hospitals are utilizing locum personnel to ensure safety in patient care during this period.
The strike is set to continue until Thursday, prompting ongoing discussions in the health sector regarding workforce conditions and pay equity for junior doctors in NSW.
This industrial action commenced on Tuesday, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of elective surgeries and the closure of emergency beds across the state.
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (ASMOF) is representing the striking doctors, who are advocating for a range of changes, including safer working hours, compensation for unsociable shifts, and a 30% pay rise to align their salaries with those of their counterparts in other states.
Currently, the NSW government has proposed a 10.5% increase over three years, which the union has deemed inadequate.
At a rally held outside health headquarters in St Leonards, junior doctor Grace LeMarquand expressed concerns over chronic understaffing, describing shifts lasting up to 13 hours daily, often with back-to-back shifts due to staffing shortages.
Rehabilitation registrar Sean Smith highlighted that he might relocate to Queensland if a more favorable deal is not reached, emphasizing the need for pay equity rather than merely a pay rise.
In an effort to avert the strike, Premier Chris Minns and Health Minister Ryan Park met with union representatives shortly before the strike began.
During these discussions, Park acknowledged that the current starting salary for junior doctors, which can be as low as $76,000 per year or $38 per hour, does not reflect their skill set or educational background.
However, ASMOF rejected the government's proposal for separate negotiations for junior doctors, underscoring its commitment to equitable working conditions for all medical professionals.
The union suggested an interim pay increase of 10% retroactively from June as a starting point for negotiations, which was also declined by the government.
The strike's impact has already led to the cancellation of approximately 370 elective surgeries and 3,020 outpatient appointments, as well as interruptions to chemotherapy treatments for 486 cancer patients.
In total, 21 hospital beds have been closed, including 20 in emergency department short-stay units.
In response to the labor withdrawal, recruitment websites for locum doctors are offering up to $180 per hour for junior medical officers willing to cover overnight shifts during the strike.
Matthew Daly, acting secretary for NSW Health, stated that some hospitals are utilizing locum personnel to ensure safety in patient care during this period.
The strike is set to continue until Thursday, prompting ongoing discussions in the health sector regarding workforce conditions and pay equity for junior doctors in NSW.
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