“We’re not asking for the impossible, but for equitable compensation for low-wage workers,” said Andrew Williams, a veteran theatre technician at the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

“If it wasn’t for my wife working as well, I wouldn’t be able to continue on with this job,” he added.

Demi Pnevmatikos, President of SA Unions, expressed that it’s “entirely unreasonable for them to receive 20 percent less than their counterparts doing the same job across other states and territories.”

“For the state government to tackle the health crisis and solve the issue of ambulance delays, they must offer these workers a fair wage,” he stated.

The union has indicated that further industrial action is possible if negotiations remain unresolved. 

“It’s going to come at a cost but the cost is far too great on the people of South Australia if they don’t act now,” Pnevmatikos said.

In a statement to 9News, Treasurer Stephen Mulligan conveyed that the government has “presented a proposal featuring wage increases twice those of the previous enterprise agreement, along with hikes for aged care and disability care workers to match the federal award pay rates.”