Southern Highland nurses will stand up to be counted in a protest against a planned state-wide wage freeze.
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They will rally for support against the plan to freeze public sector wages in NSW.
The Highlands nurses will make their stand outside Bowral and District Hospital from 8am on June 2.
The move comes in the wake of an announcement by NSW premier Gladys Berijiklian on May 27 that more than 400,000 public service workers - including nurses, doctors, teachers and police officers - will not receive pay rises for the next 12 months.
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Union member and Highlands nurse Frances Honan said the plan was a slap in the face to nurses who were expecting to receive a 2.5 per cent pay rise in July.
"We are on the front line in one of the toughest times," she said.
"We have done so much work, including overtime, to meet the current requirements for COVID-19 management.
"Then we have the added anxiety of the possibility of taking this virus home to our families.
"Some of us are now the only bread winners in our families as our partner have lost jobs.
"It has all taken its toll, and now the government is proposing to freeze our wages."
Ms Honan said that nurses were outraged and offended by the current State Government plan.
She said she had written to Wollondilly MP Nathaniel Smith regarding the matter.
He replied as follows:
Thank you for your email regarding the wages of nurses and hospital staff. I have received many emails to my office regarding this issue and agree with the clear message that the amazing work and dedication of our frontline health staff is not to be underestimated.
I support and am very grateful for the wonderful work they do all year round but particularly their response to COVID-19 pandemic.
All decisions made by the NSW Government particularly during these unprecedented times are focused on two key factors; keeping people in jobs and keeping businesses in business.
Despite the many media reports, no decision has been made in relation to wages policy in New South Wales.
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns, I appreciate you taking the time to contact me.
The Southern Highland News has also contacted Mr Smith for a comment.
The June 2 rally will be held on the Mona Street side of the Bowral and District Hospital.
Ms Honan said there was a limit of 10 people at any given time due to COVID-19 restrictions.
However, she said rotating shifts could be considered so that all nurses eager to make a stand could do so.
