Hundreds of public sector workers have marched on the Sydney CBD as part of a 24-hour strike over the NSW government’s job offer.
Employees of the ministries of health, education, justice, transport and customer service decided to continue union action after their union rejected the state government’s offer to increase the salary by 3 percent, announced by the prime minister Dominic Perrottet earlier this week.
Perrottet also revealed Monday that NSW front-line health workers will receive a one-time $ 3,000 “appreciation” payment in recognition of their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public Service Association (PSA) general secretary Stuart Little said other public officials should also receive payment.
“Not only are we unhappy, we are very, very angry,” Mr. Little said.
“And we are not the only ones who are angry … the police, the teachers, the firefighters, I think you will find that they are not happy.
“Why are we treated differently? Why don’t we have a fair and independent industrial arbitrator who sets salaries instead of politicians?”
Hundreds of people walked from Hyde Park to Parliament. (ABC News)
Little said he supported a bonus payment for health workers, but argued that thousands of public sector employees who had worked at the forefront during wildfires, floods and the pandemic had been overlooked. the COVID-19.
“Why don’t we get the same treatment as other front-line workers?” He said.
“I’ll tell you why, because Mr. Perrottet doesn’t have a plan for inflation or the cost of living.
“We feel that interest rates are going up, prices are going up and electricity is going up. Everything is going up, except for one thing: our wages.”
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Perrottet has ruled out extending the “appreciation” payment to other public sector employees today.
“I accept and thank union workers and employers today for defending their members,” Perrottet said.
“My job as prime minister is to defend my members, that’s the 8 million people in our state.
“Not only is the public service going through a difficult time, it’s everyone in NSW after the pandemic.”
A large crowd marched down Macquarie Street in Sydney and gathered in front of the State Parliament today to make their voices heard.
Many of them carried placards and chanted “attack the limit,” a reference to the NSW government’s public sector wage cap that rose 2.5% to 3% this week.
The union said a pay rise of at least 5.2 percent was needed.
Public officials are also holding rallies at major regional centers such as Newcastle, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga.
Posted 52 minutes ago 52 minutes ago Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 2:36 AM, updated 51 minutes ago 51 minutes ago Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 2:38 AM