NSW: Hunter nurses meet to discuss work bans

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2001
NSW: Hunter nurses meet to discuss work bans

Nurses from the New South Wales Hunter region will meet this morning to consider work
bans in an attempt to improve working conditions and wages.

New South Wales Nurses Association members will discuss the action as part of the union's
industrial campaign for improved pay and conditions amidst a statewide shortage of nurses.

The association launched the campaign after the state government rejected their claim
for a wage increase.

Negotiations between the government and the association broke down last week, with
the government saying it would lead to all public sector unions demanding the same wage
hike.

The union had requested the rise in the face of a severe staffing shortage, with full-time
vacancies now running at 1,600 across the state.

The union's Hunter organiser DONNA ST CLAIR says that following the meeting, the nurses
will probably begin to impose bans in four or five days' time.

AAP RTV rk/rp/jas

KEYWORD: NURSES HUNTER (SYDNEY)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.