NSWNA claim vs Government response
Monday 1st November 2010
The following table outlines the NSW Governments position (as The Lamp goes to print) on individual components of the NSWNA pay and conditions claim.
| WHAT NURSES AND MIDWIVES ARE CLAIMING | NSW GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE* |
| 5% pay and pay-related allowances increase per year – no strings attached. | 3-year Award with strings attached to some pay increases. See box on page 13. |
| Mandated minimum staffing ratios with a skill mix consideration. | NO |
| CNE for every 30 nurses/midwives. | NO |
| Replace absences with ‘like with like’ nurse classification. | NO |
| Award to include fair rostering principles. | NO |
| 1% extra employer-provided superannuation per year ie. 13% by 2013. | NO |
| Meal allowance to be paid for overtime before, as well as after a rostered shift. | NO |
| Return 100% of salary packaging savings to nurses, not just 50%. | NO |
| Clearer rules for In Charge of Shift payment. | Under discussion |
| Reinstate Higher Grade Duty payment for every shift (not only for 5+). | NO |
| Improved study leave to match Queensland nurses: three days per annum for conferences plus allowances; plus leave and course costs for tertiary study. | NO |
| ENs graduating as RNs should start at RN Year 2. | NO |
| Continuing Education Allowance for CNCs who achieve a qualification higher than the minimum required for their role. | NO |
| Union delegates to have paid leave for NSWNA Committee of Delegates meetings. | NO |
| Award to say that rotating shift nurses should be free from night duty immediately before starting leave and on the first shift back from leave. | NO |
| Increase paid maternity/adoption leave to 26 weeks and paternity leave to four weeks. | NO |
| Improve Award lactation break provisions for breastfeeding mothers. | Under discussion |
| Management should not unreasonably refuse nurses’ requests for 12-hour shifts on a unit. | Under discussion |
| Experienced RNs/RMs IRC case for higher pay rates. | NO |
| Better insurance for NETS (Newborn & Paediatric Emergency Transport Services)/Air Ambulance nurses. | Under investigation |
*As at end October 2010.