Geraldton Regional Hospital nurses and midwives have threatened to take industrial action in a bid to force the State Government into a ‘fair pay deal’.

Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Mark Olson organised work bans at a stop-work meeting outside the hospital’s main entrance yesterday.

WA Country Health Service - Midwest regional director Margaret Denton said the hospital monitored the situation closely to ensure patient safety was not comprised during the meeting.

Western Australian nurses current wage agreement will end in June, but nurses want the new deal finalised before the March election.

Mr Olson said last time nurses negotiated a new pay deal the federation was polite and it took 18 months of delays.