“It’s a slap in the face.” Royal Flying Doctor Service Qld abandons nurses days out from Christmas
Published: 22 December 2023
While nurses at the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Queensland continue to deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper and historic floods, RFDS Qld management have abandoned their nurses just days before Christmas.
RFDS Qld nurses continue to take unprecedented Protected Industrial Action (PIA) as part of an ongoing campaign to secure basic rights from RFDS Queensland management.
Despite nurses twice rejecting management’s substandard offers, management have failed to listen to the voices of their nurses and have presented an offer for new wages and conditions that is significantly worse than before.
The offer includes a measly wage increase of 0.7% for 2024, 1% for 2025, and 1% for 2026. Unlike the last offer, there is no offer of backpay, and no pay increase offer for 2023. RFDS nurses’ pay has gone backwards in real terms by 13.1% over the life of their current agreement, with CPI rising by 19.2% since July 2020, and nurses’ pay only rising by 6.1%.
RFDS nurses have overwhelmingly reported that they would reject management’s latest offer if it was put to a ballot. The QNMU is meeting with RFDS management on Friday 22 December at 10am in the Fair Work Commission to respond to management’s latest offer.
RFDS nurses are seeking to be remunerated for all hours rostered, worked and spent on call, as well as seeking better work/life balance following vastly increased demand for RFDS Qld services, which is causing staff fatigue and burnout.
Management have agreed to reduce nurses’ shifts by one per month, though only in exchange for any meaningful pay increases that would help nurses deal with the cost-of-living crisis. It’s a move that demonstrates management are showing these highly skilled, experienced and loyal nurses no respect.
QNMU Acting Secretary Sarah Beaman said management’s latest offer was an appalling blow to RFDS Qld nurses just days before Christmas.
“In effect, the RFDS is asking their nurses to choose between a meaningful pay rise and their patients’ and their own safety,” said Ms Beaman.
“They are essentially asking nurses to cover the cost of their own fatigue leave.
“Nurses haven’t given up on providing the best possible care to their patients, but it looks like management have given up on their nurses and are no longer serious about presenting an offer that is fair and shows their nurses the respect they deserve.”
RFDS nurses are understandably furious about management’s latest offer, with one QNMU member describing it as a “slap in the face”.
“Despite our unwavering dedication, the RFDS has shown their blatant disregard,” said the RFDS Cairns nurse.
“Two abysmal offers were just the beginning, and now, in the aftermath of the devastating flood in Cairns, their insulting response is a mere 0.7% pay increase.
“It's a slap in the face, and a stark reminder of their failure to value the sweat, tears and tireless commitment nurses pour into their work.”
Another RFDS nurse described their current work environment as “unsustainable” and “unsafe”.
“We aren’t asking for much,” the RFDS nurse said.
“Working more than full-time without enough fatigue days is not sustainable, and it’s unfair to staff and unsafe for our patients.”
Ms Beaman reiterated that RFDS nurses remain fiercely loyal and passionate about what they do, but it was time management genuinely addressed their nurses’ concerns regarding fatigue and safety.
“In recent years, RFDS Qld management have required nurses to work more overtime, attend more frequent calls and respond within even shorter timeframes. As a result, existing rosters and other conditions are no longer sustainable,” said Ms Beaman.
Media contact: Cindy Jones – 0408 168 791