Tamworth Hospital staff will be among more than 22,000 hospital workers across the state to strike this Thursday over safety concerns.
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Local members of the Health Services Union (HSU) will strike from 10am to 2pm on Thursday, August 1 in response to the NSW government's refusal to improve hospital security.
According to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, almost 40 assaults occur in NSW hospitals each month, and over the past two years, hospital workers have been shot, stabbed, punched, bitten and spat upon.
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HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said the HSU has consistently sought 250 extra security guards with extra constable powers to deal with the "crisis".
He says these pleas have "fallen on deaf ears" and, as a result, HSU delegates unanimously endorsed strike action at their state conference on Tuesday, July 16.
"Our members are sick of being treated as punching bags," he said.
"We do not take this strike action lightly, it really is a last resort.
"We've seen too many people stabbed, too many people shot, too many people who have been spat upon or punched, too many people getting PTSD because they went to work.
"Enough is enough. We are sick of the reviews and talkfests. We need 250 extra security officers with special constable powers and we need them now."
Moree HSU sub-branch member Frank Crump said only one security guard is rostered on per shift in Moree, and the union is pushing for more, in addition to specialised training for staff.
"We want a safer working environment for everybody, not just staff, but for patients and visitors," he said.
Mr Crump said violence is an issue at Moree Hospital, and all hospitals across the state, which is why HSU members are taking a stand.
"I've been a member of the union for 32 years and I can never remember a four hour stoppage for something like this," he said.
"This is not for a pay rise or anything monetary, it's just for the safety in all NSW health services."
