Opal HealthCare staff commence industrial action

Staff of Australia's largest for-profit aged care provider Opal HealthCare have voted to take protected industrial action against their employer.

Opal staff are voting this week on the provider's offer of a 9.75 per cent pay increase over three years for registered and enrolled nurses, and up to 10.2 per cent over three years for assistants in nursing.

NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA) members voted overwhelmingly for the commencement of industrial action, with 92 per cent of voters in favour, warning that action may begin as early as next week.

The NSWNMA has voiced its support for industrial action, with general secretary Shaye Candish deeming the pay and conditions offer as unacceptable.

“In May, workers voted down Opal’s original offer of 8.25 per cent over three years. This was the first time Opal aged care nurses and carers successfully voted down an enterprise agreement," Ms Candish said.

“Our Sydney aged care nurses and carers work under extremely difficult conditions because of sector-wide staffing shortages. They feel like they can’t provide the dedication, attention and quality care residents deserve because of the workplace pressures,” said Ms Candish.

“The current pay offer by Opal does not deliver competitive rates of pay that will help recruit and retain staff, ease extreme workloads and ensure compliance with mandatory care minutes. The offer also doesn’t recognise the current economic climate and financial challenges being experienced by our aged care workers."

The union is demanding an 18 per cent pay increase over three years, a commitment to meeting care minute targets, and increases to sick leave entitlements.

Ms Candish also points out that recent data from the Department of Health and Aged Care shows "20 out of Opal’s 47 facilities did not meet their registered nurse care minutes targets, while 42 did not meet their total care minute targets."

Opal HealthCare, which operates 26 aged care facilities across greater Sydney, has responded by saying that in many cases, it already pays above the award.

“Most Opal HealthCare nurses and carers are being offered a pay rise of up to 25.07 per cent over three years – which includes up to 15 per cent last year, and an additional 10.07 per cent compounded over the three years from 1 July 2023- 1 July 2025," an Opal spokesperson said.

“However, the union is now demanding an additional 9.1 per cent compounded rise – for a cumulative 34 per cent wage increase in only three years.

“Nurses and carers are currently being offered the opportunity to vote and endorse the 10.07%. If a majority of eligible participants vote yes, they will immediately be paid the backdated three per cent increase for 2023, rather than having to wait months until the Fair Work Commission approves the agreement.”

The Health Services Union (HSU) has encouraged its members to sign the proposed agreement, stating that "while some of our claims were not fully met, the new wage offer (including back pay to 1 July 2023) and the significantly improved conditions represented a much better deal than the last proposal, and was acceptable to members."

The voting period ends tomorrow, Friday 23 August.

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