NSW Police Score Landmark Pay Deal, But Nurses Left Fighting for Wage Equality

13 November 2024

Newcastle Police — NSW Police Force – Newcastle (File Image)

newy.com.au – The NSW Labor Government has announced a historic pay offer for NSW Police, marking a major step in efforts to recruit and retain officers amid ongoing workforce challenges. The four-year agreement, valued at $697.6 million, includes a 19% pay rise for non-commissioned officers, along with enhanced allowances, accelerated career progression, and a one-off $5,400 leadership retention payment. The deal aims to halt the exodus of officers from the force by making NSW Police salaries among the most competitive in Australia, supported by a new in-house insurance model to redirect savings back into the workforce.

The pay agreement is one of the first under the government’s mutual gains bargaining framework, a system replacing the previous wage cap, and has been touted by Labor as a testament to its commitment to frontline workers. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey described the deal as “transformative,” highlighting its alignment with Labor’s agenda to provide essential workers with fair pay that keeps up with the cost of living. Police Minister Yasmin Catley expressed pride in securing the pay increase, emphasising that officers deserve recognition and competitive wages given the daily risks they face in their role.

However, the substantial pay deal for police has sparked frustration among nurses and midwives, who say their calls for a comparable increase have gone unanswered. On Wednesday, 13 November 2024, thousands of members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) are set to strike for 24 hours, a move driven by what they describe as the NSW Government’s neglect of the state’s largest female-dominated workforce. With no progress on pay after weeks of negotiations, nurses argue they are left with little choice but to demand action through industrial action.

NSWNMA General Secretary Shaye Candish voiced the anger felt by nurses, noting that teachers, paramedics, and now police have all received significant pay increases, while nurses and midwives remain some of the lowest-paid health workers in the country. Candish argued that the gender pay gap is at the heart of the government’s stance, with 86% of the nursing and midwifery workforce being women. She stated, “The decision to give police more than double the offer for nurses speaks volumes. The message to NSW women is clear: their hard work is worth less in the eyes of this government.”

Adding to the sense of inequality, NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Michael Whaites highlighted the severe staffing shortages across hospitals and maternity wards, warning that inadequate pay and conditions are driving nurses and midwives out of NSW or even out of the profession altogether. A recent national workforce report identified midwifery shortages as particularly critical, especially in regional areas. Whaites stressed that the promise of better nurse-to-patient ratios may be impossible to fulfil unless nurses are offered a competitive pay package, which is essential to attracting and retaining staff.

As NSW police officers prepare to vote on the government’s offer, nurses and midwives are calling for the same level of government investment in healthcare. They argue that without fair pay, healthcare staffing shortages will only worsen, putting patient care at risk. Wednesday’s strike will see nurses rallying in Sydney and across regional centres, pushing for the government to address wage inequities and provide the support they need to sustain a critical but undervalued workforce.