Love of the job doesn’t pay the bills

Video messages from NSWNMA branch leaders helped to win support for the union’s ‘Vote No’ campaign.

Among the speakers were Beth Riley, secretary of the Brisbane Waters Private Hospital Branch and Elly Wright, secretary of the Lingard Private Hospital Branch.

Beth described the company proposal for a 2.5 per cent annual pay increase as “an insult and an actual pay cut. Inflation is currently running above 6.5 per cent.”

“We deserve more to do the valuable hard work we do for Healthe Care and what we provide for our patients,” she said. “Remember, Healthe Care Surgical is making a profit out of you and me and our hard work.”

Elly said she and the people she works with are worth more than 2.5 per cent over the next few years.

“With the cost of living set to increase, failure to increase (the pay offer) will only mean we cannot afford to buy the things we need to buy, to keep a roof over our heads and keep our families fed and safe and warm.

“Love of the job does not pay the bills.”

On the NSWNMA’s claim for safer staffing, Elly said, “We need more staff on our wards and in every unit of the hospital.

“We need to attract and retain our current nurses and the only way to do that is through safe patient ratios.” n