NSW Nurses Strike Over Pay Disparity as Police Secure Historic Wage Deal

Nurses across New South Wales are striking for 24 hours, demanding a 15% pay rise after police received increases up to 39.4% over four years.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association is striking for a 15% wage increase, citing cost-of-living pressures and pay disparities with other states.
The Minns government recently agreed to a police pay deal that offers increases between 22.3% and 39.4% over four years, funded by reforms to police insurance.
Nurses argue the government's refusal to negotiate a similar deal for them is gendered, as they represent the largest female-dominated workforce in the state.
Premier Chris Minns maintains that the government's offer of a 10.5% increase over three years is reasonable, emphasizing the $1 billion commitment to improve nurse-to-patient ratios.
The strike is expected to disrupt healthcare services, with elective surgeries postponed and emergency departments facing longer wait times.