Cleaners, orderlies and other support workers at Adelaide's public hospitals walked off the job after pandemic-era free staff parking came to an end.
Support staff at several of Adelaide's metropolitan public hospitals took strike action in August 2022 over the return of paid parking for employees. Free staff parking had been introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and was withdrawn in July 2022.
The action was organised by the United Workers Union and involved cleaners, orderlies, sterilisation technicians and catering staff, including workers at the Lyell McEwin and Modbury hospitals. Many of these workers earn roughly $45,000 to $52,000 a year, and parking at work costs them around $1,300 a year.
Nurses had also planned to join the industrial action but pulled out. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation said it had an alternative pathway to pursue the parking issue with the state government.
Deputy Premier Susan Close said the free parking had been an extraordinary measure that was always going to end.
For anyone who works shifts near a hospital, a privately rented car space close by can be worth comparing against on-site staff rates, and owners near major hospitals may find steady demand from health workers.
Photo: Muzzamo / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Car park outside the emergency department of the former Royal Adelaide Hospital.