Tensions are rising amongst members of WA's nursing union after chief executive Mark Olson agreed to call off strike action and accept the state government's latest offer on pay and conditions.
Meanwhile, the police union is threatening to escalate its industrial campaign.
Mr Olson, who spearheaded a month-long campaign for nurses to receive a better deal, was booed by hundreds of Australian Nursing Federation [ANF] members at a meeting late yesterday after he indicated a deal would be struck on the lingering pay dispute.
Rolling hospital strikes were set to begin today, before Mr Olson called them off at the eleventh hour.
Described by Mr Olson as "largely hostile", the meeting with nurses and midwives took place at Fiona Stanley Hospital, just three hours after he agreed to cancel the industrial action.
"We did boo Mark as he entered, because we felt really let down," nurse Mary told ABC Radio Perth.
"We were encouraged to move towards strike action by the ANF. And then, really without any consultation, we were told that no, we weren't striking, and that we had no say in it."
A far cry from 10 per cent
The campaign started in earnest last month with a demand for a 10 per cent annual pay rise, and the implementation of nurse-to-patient ratios.
Rolling stoppages across hospitals were set to begin today, with hundreds of nurses planning not to turn up for work.
The state government agreed to implement patient ratios over two years, but refused to budge on wages.
On the table is a 3 per cent annual pay rise for those earning more than $104,000 or $3,120 per year for those earning less, plus a one-off $3,000 payment; a far cry from the union's initial demand for 10 per cent.
Captain's call
However, with the Industrial Relations Commission breathing down his neck, Mr Olson took the offer.
He said it was "the best deal" from the government that nurses would get.
"I will always tell the members what they need to know. I'm not going to tell the members what they want to hear," he told ABC Radio Perth.
The government's latest offer includes expanding an allowance to senior nurses capped at $1,200 per year.
"Is this the best possible deal? Yes," Mr Olson said.
The union boss said he was "confident" ANF members would vote to accept the deal at a poll within the next week.
However, many nurses and midwives have expressed their opposition, with the union's social media pages flooded with comments disagreeing with the decision.
Police union threatens escalation
Western Australia is also facing industrial action on another front, with the police union threatening to escalate their dispute.
WA Police Union president Mick Kelly described the government's first wage and conditions offer for police as "disrespectful".
"We've given them a clear mandate that we want a second offer by Friday," he said.
"It needs to be a lot better than the first offer because it was completely disgraceful."
It comes amid the police union's "month of action", which includes officers avoiding work related calls outside working hours and only working rostered hours.
Mr Kelly has threatened to tell union members to block speed cameras and avoid issuing fines for low-level traffic offences if a "suitable" offer is not proposed.
"We'll be considering other actions we can take to try and bring government to the table," he said.
Deputy Police Commissioner Kylie Whitely said the community would remain "safe" despite the industrial action.
"I do [not], and have not yet seen any community safety issues as a consequence of what the police are currently doing," she said.
"In relation to police officers blocking speed cameras, of course, officers will still be out on the road reinforcing road safety ... it will still deter and ensure lawful road behaviour."
