22.6 C
Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Statewide health strike to proceed tomorrow

Latest News

Blue skies for Bluesfest day 1

If yesterday at Bluesfest was anything to go by, it's going to be an incredible event and with the weather holding, (so far) the Easter weekend's future is looking bright.

Other News

Seize the Decade report outlines benefits of renewables

The Climate Council says many more Australian families can directly benefit from rooftop solar and batteries under a new plan that spells out how we can electrify the nation and cut climate pollution this decade.

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.

We just love him!

If you’re over 50 you might not be a fan of Tom Jones, but you can bet your mum is. If you’re under 40 you might not even know who he is, but your grandmother probably wet her pants at the mere mention of his name.

Premier yet to respond to Albo’s offer of disaster recovery funds

Northern Rivers community groups are renewing calls for the NSW premier to formally ask the Commonwealth to fully fund the region's 2022 disaster recovery.

Biz confidence up, says Business NSW

The state's peak body for business says confidence in the sector has increased but cost of living pressures continue to impact customer spending.

Cinema: Wicked Little Letters

Based on a true scandal that stunned 1920s England, Wicked Little Letters centres on neighbours Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton.

Mass industrial action involving thousands of health and hospital workers across ambulance, cleaning, allied health, admin, security, catering and wards will proceed tomorrow following a hearing today at the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

After weighing arguments from the Union and Ministry of Health, the Commission has opted for a conciliation hearing next week.

It comes after repeated attempts by the Health Services Union to open up the state’s hospital awards and begin genuine bargaining for productivity-based pay rises have fallen on deaf ears. Under the NSW wages cap, public sector pay increase can not legally exceed 2.5 per cent.

HSU is campaigning for a 5.5 per cent pay rise to account for the impact of the pandemic, and the surging cost of living, along with a broader shift that replaces the state wage cap with genuine bargaining to reflect the enhanced skills and productivity of the health workforce.

The most recent quarterly figures showed inflation running at 3.5 per cent, with economists tipping it will exceed five per cent within months.

Health Services Union NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes. Photo supplied.

‘Health and hospital workers are at breaking point,’ said Gerard Hayes, HSU NSW Secretary.

‘They were exposed to COVID without a vaccine or appropriate protective equipment for months. Then they endured exhaustion and anxiety. They have been rewarded with surging prices and a collapse in real wages.

‘We are sick to the back teeth of being called heroes. Being called a hero doesn’t put money in the bank when you’re skint before pay day.

‘Rents in Sydney and across the regions have surged more than 10 per cent. Mortgage rates are about to double and petrol is through the roof,’ said Mr Hayes.

‘We need meaningful action on pay.’

What’s happening

HSU paramedics are holding a stop work meeting from 7am-8am, emergency response will continue. HSU members in major metropolitan hospitals will stop work for four hours from 10am.

HSU members in regional hospitals will stop work for two hours from either 10 or 11am

In Coffs Harbour and Lismore there will be a beeting of members at 10am.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

1 COMMENT

  1. For real these guys are the best they see us at our worst and still take care of us,they should be getting the top job wage just like our so called leaders,cause when it hits the fan the ambulance, nurses,and doctors, kept working,unlike the pollations,bet they still got their wages,and wage increase according to the inflation.don’t forget, the shut down of every hard working Aussie on their say so .No business for every one except for the big biz, that were already sucking the guts out of the Little guy.Are they going to take a pay cut ?like they did to our restaurant workers,pub workers,ahh yeah remember just before COVID .Cut your wage .Why if their not in the job should they be paid especially when their already making their own money?A pension for pollations,why should they get any more than any other Aussie dose, you’ve done your job move on.Want to make a statement in this country how about stop ripping it off, Make our Australia again.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Retired local professor launches book on grief

A leading international thinker and researcher in the development of innovative sport coaching and physical education teaching has returned home to Byron Bay and is launching his first non-academic book, 'Grief and Growth', on April 4 at The Book Room in Byron. 

Resilient Lismore’s ‘Repair to Return’ funding

On the eve of the second anniversary of the second devastating flood in 2022, Resilient Lismore has welcomed the finalisation of its funding deed with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will enable the continuation of its ‘Repair to Return’ program.

Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.