Junior doctors in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, embarked on a 72-hour strike, demanding a 30% pay rise and improved working conditions, including safer hours and compensation for unsociable shifts. Around 3500 members of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (ASMOF) NSW participated.
Doctors cite chronic understaffing and unsafe rostering as key issues. They highlight instances of working excessive hours consecutively. The NSW government has offered a 10.5% pay increase over three years, falling short of the union's demand.
The strike resulted in:
The government attempted last-minute negotiations before the strike commenced but failed to reach an agreement.
Doctors expressed concerns about pay equity and unsafe working conditions, with some indicating they would relocate to other states if their demands are not met.
NSW hospitals are offering to pay junior doctors more than $2000 a day to work during a three-day strike as thousands walked off the job demanding better pay and conditions, leading to widespread elective surgery cancellations and emergency bed closures.
Around 3500 members of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (ASMOF) NSW began their 72-hour industrial action on Tuesday with rallies outside NSW Health headquarters in St Leonards, Westmead Hospital and two regional hospitals.
Hospital doctors are demanding changes to pay and conditions, including safe working hours, compensation for unsociable shift work and a 30 per cent pay rise to match wages interstate. The government has offered 10.5 per cent over three years.
Junior doctor Grace LeMarquand told the rally she routinely worked 13-hour shifts, seven days in a row, only to be asked back for an eighth shift because “there are not enough doctors”.
“In my years as a junior doctor, I’ve seen chronic understaffing and unsafe rostering,” she said. “I’m here [with] all my colleagues to demand change.”
Rehabilitation registrar Sean Smith said he planned to move to Queensland if the government did not offer an improved deal.
“We’re not even here for a pay rise – we’re here for pay equity,” Smith said. “We just want recognition – to be paid what we’re worth – as the rest of the country [is].”
Premier Chris Minns and Health Minister Ryan Park met with the union on Monday evening in an eleventh-hour attempt to avert the strike.
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