In 1984 nurses had voted to remove the no-strike clause from their rules. That year, the Cain Labor Government cut the health budget, reneged on workload and career structure undertakings, and finally, in 1986, handed down an award decision that saw hundreds of nurses downgraded to lower classifications. Nurses voted to strike. Skeleton staff were left in the wards while picket lines, tents and caravans were set up outside hospitals across Victoria.

In 1984 nurses had voted to remove the no-strike clause from their rules. That year, the Cain Labor Government cut the health budget, reneged on workload and career structure undertakings, and finally, in 1986, handed down an award decision that saw hundreds of nurses downgraded to lower classifications. Nurses voted to strike. Skeleton staff were left in the wards while picket lines, tents and caravans were set up outside hospitals across Victoria.