More than 22,000 hospital workers are going on strike TOMORROW – and the union admits it will cause delays for patients
- Some 22,000 public hospital workers are set to strike across New South Wales
- Paramedics, security staff among those protesting over work safety concerns
- Union chief there could be some delays for ‘routine matters’ during 4-hour strike
Some 22,000 public hospital workers are set to strike across New South Wales over workplace safety concerns with organisers insisting patients won’t be at risk.
Health Services Union delegates voted earlier in July to stop work on Thursday as they fight for increased security at the state’s hospitals.
The strike will run for between one and four hours at individual hospitals. There will also be a rally outside the NSW ministry of health offices in North Sydney at 8am.
Some 22,000 public hospital workers are set to strike across NSW over workplace safety concerns with organisers insisting patients won’t be at risk (stock image)
HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes says patients won’t be at risk during Thursday’s strike action.
‘We have skeleton teams within our membership to make sure patients are looked after,’ he told reporters on Wednesday.
‘This is about protecting patients in a health setting, it’s not about putting patients in harm’s way, and so we will be making sure that any patient need is going to be addressed.’
Mr Hayes admits there could be some delays, however, for ‘routine matters’.
Paramedics say patients won’t be charged for treatment or transport during the four-hour strike.
The strike will involve paramedics, security staff, allied health professionals as well as administration and catering workers.
Doctors and nurses won’t walk off the job but they support Thursday’s action, Mr Hayes said.
‘Forty people a month are seriously assaulted going to work,’ the union boss said.
‘We cannot entertain workplace violence, we have had two of our members stabbed, it’s just unacceptable. Everyone has the right to a safe workplace.’
The union has called for at least 250 additional security staff in metropolitan hospitals and for them to be given extra powers.