BY SEAN MARTIN-IVERSON

PERTH — After a week of coordinated industrial action, 2000 WA enrolled nurses have won a significant pay increase. Enrolled nurses in Perth's major public hospitals, organised in the Liquor, Hospitality & Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU), launched a campaign of rolling stoppages on June 27. They were later joined by workers in regional hospitals such as Kalgoorlie.

The ALP state government initially offered a 13.5% pay increase over three years. However, the LHMU campaign secured an agreement on July 19 that included an 18.7% pay increase. Most enrolled nurses will now receive wages of between $17 and $19.20 per hour. The agreement will be up for re-negotiation in April 2004.

According to LHMU WA secretary Dave Kelly, an important aspect of the industrial action was to drive home the point that enrolled nurses are an integral part of the hospital system.

“Our members are angry because their important role in the workplace is being ignored by the WA Health Department — that's why we have such strong commitment to this campaign from each and every hospital in this state”, he said.

The campaign also served to bolster union organisation. “The agreement between the union and the government guaranteed the recognition of the role of our union delegates, including [their right to] time to perform delegate duties.”

From Green Left Weekly, July 24, 2002.
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