Thousands of nurses and midwives have travelled from across New South Wales to Sydney's CBD to strike for better pay.
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00:00The NSW Nurses and Midwives Union has been in a dispute with the State Government over
00:06pay for some time now. This is the second time this month they've taken industrial action.
00:12As you can see there are thousands gathered here in front of State Parliament. They're
00:15asking for a 15% pay increase and have walked off the job for 24 hours. Now the union says
00:21wages should be brought in line with other states like Queensland and that they won't
00:26rule out further industrial action if their offer isn't met. The Industrial Relations
00:31Commission recommended an interim deal to accept an immediate 3% rise with back pay
00:37if they entered into more negotiations with the Government. We heard from Health Minister
00:41Ryan Park a little earlier. He says he's disappointed industrial action was taken today. Take a
00:46listen. People are going to have important surgery cancelled today and that is why I'm
00:51extremely concerned about this action. They are people often with chronic conditions.
00:56They're people who may have been waiting at home in pain for a significant period of time
01:01and that's why. That's why I'm disappointed that this action has taken place. We offered
01:06to make that initial 3% payment, get it back paid, whilst nurses and midwives and the Government
01:13remained at the table over the next month exactly what the Independent Umpire told us
01:18to do. We're prepared to accept the Independent Umpire's decision. The union says life-preserving
01:23staff will remain but there are delays expected during the day. They've also advised people
01:29with non-life-threatening injuries or conditions to avoid the emergency department.