HSU wardspeople, security, cleaning, allied health, admin, radiographers and paramedics will walk off the job at Westmead Hospital at midday.
Media are invited to attend the rally which will begin gathering near entrance 10, Westmead Health Precinct, Darcy Road, Westmead at midday.
HSU members are also stopping work at Blacktown Hospital from midday, Nepean Hospital from 2pm, John Hunter Hospital from 10am and Morrisett Hospital from 10am.
Workers at other hospitals will enact work bans.
Background
HSU is seeking:
- a 6.5 per cent wage increase (inclusive of 0.5 per cent super.)
- For all health workers to get the full benefit of salary packaging. (They currently have to hand over half their tax savings to the Government, which can be worth several thousand dollars per year.)
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An end to the salary cap. Real incomes have shrunk as inflation runs at 7 per cent, rents have surged between 10 and 25 percent, and mortgage interest rates have almost tripled.
Stagnant wages are contributing to an attraction and retention crisis. At last count there were 12,000 vacancies in NSW Health. Workers are fleeing to Queensland, ACT and Victoria because the pay is significantly better and housing is cheaper. This hurts the health system and means we lose twice, because all the money spent training the worker is lost.
Further info-
Nick Lucchinelli 0422 229 032 (Westmead)
Lauren Hutchins 0423 029 586 (Blacktown/Nepean)
Jeremy Lappin 0438 774 712 (John Hunter)