About 6000 Queensland health workers walked off the job from October 1 across the state demanding better wages and conditions.
"The Queensland Public Sector Union [QPSU] said the Government was unfairly targeting its own workers to cut costs to make up for the nurses' payroll debacle”, the September 30 Courier-Mail said.
The workers are demanding an increase of 4.5%, 4% and 4% over three years, with allowances and extra leave protected. The government has refused to increase its offer of 2.5% a year over three years.
The workers begin their rolling stoppages in Rockhampton on October 1. Cairns and other far north Queensland hospitals will be affected from October 5. Brisbane hospital staff are due to rally and stop work later that week.