Queensland’s non-clinical hospital workers, including administrative, operational, technical, professional staff, and dental officer, have protested in Brisbane and Townsville against the Government’s offer of a 2.5% per annum pay rise over the next three years, claiming it to be ‘hopelessly inadequate’ and failing to keep up with inflation.

 

The workers are calling for the Premier Anna Bligh intervene in negotiations with Queensland Health to secure their demand for a 4% pay rise.

 

Queensland Health claims that any increase above 7.5% over three years without productivity savings  would compromise its ability to fund patient services at Queensland’s hospitals.

 

Nursing and medical staff are also entering negotiations for new enterprise agreements which are due to expire on 31 March 2012 and 31 May 2012, respectively.