Messages of solidarity and support

Speakers at the St Vincent’s Health rally in Darlinghurst included police Inspector Matt Hanlon from the Kings Cross Local Area Command.

He said it was “a privilege to have the hospital and its services available both to the community and ourselves”.

“As frontline workers we know full well the difficulties you experience and recognise the value you have as frontline workers as well,” Inspector Hanlon said.

“It is a very important message you’re sending today, and I acknowledge that and want to let you know on this International Nurses Day we (police) appreciate you as frontline workers and know that we couldn’t do the job without you.”

The rally heard messages of solidarity and support from ACTU President, Sally McManus; federal member for Sydney (and Environment Minister), Tanya Plibersek; and the Independent federal member for North Sydney, Kylea Tink.

Sally McManus said the SVHA nurses and midwives are waging a just fight.

“When you win, which you will, it will change the working lives of the nurses and midwives who come after you and the patients of both today and tomorrow,” she said.

Tanya Plibersek said the number of stop-work meetings held by the nurses and midwives highlighted the seriousness of the issues.

She added, “I hope a positive end to your negotiations is in sight. Keep up the fight!”

Kylea Tink said that in her electorate of North Sydney, rents are above the state average, and more than half of mortgage holders report they are under mortgage stress.

“I support you in your fight for safer patient ratios and a desperately needed wage increase,” she said.

“And in the meantime, I will continue to call on the government to seriously consider the impact of housing and cost-of-living pressures on our essential workers.

“I am ready to work with all levels of government to ensure affordable housing in my electorate is not the stuff of fairy tales.”