Minimum wage increase sets benchmark for NSW Health workers

Responding to today’s 5.75 per cent lift to the minimum wage, HSU NSW Secretary, Gerard Hayes, said:

“The Fair Work Commission’s decision to lift the minimum wage by 5.75 per cent sets a benchmark for NSW Health. For the tens of thousands of people cleaning and catering our hospitals, keeping them safe, tending the wards, or serving as allied health therapists or paramedics, the minimum wage increase has bolstered their expectation and legitimised their claim.

“These workers have seen their real incomes shrink over the last year, despite working their guts out through the pandemic and risking their own health on behalf of the community.

“Health care workers are financially belted every time they fill up at the bowser, buy groceries at the supermarket or pay rent or mortgage. Health and hospital workers deserve a significant pay boost, that is at least equivalent to the minimum wage increase."

Gerard Hayes 0417 275 821