Hundreds of public sector workers in New South Wales have left their jobs today demanding a better wage, despite the government offering a 3% increase.
Members of the Public Service Association, including prison guards, bailiffs, child protection officers, school support staff and customer service workers, have gathered en masse on Macquarie Street in Sydney.
Workers are calling for a 5.2% pay rise and for the government to remove the public sector wage cap.
Hundreds of NSW public service workers have quit their jobs. (9News) The union demands a significant increase in wages. (9 News)
“Why don’t we get the same treatment as other front-line workers?” Said PSA Secretary General Stewart Little.
“I’ll tell you why because Perrottet doesn’t have a plan for inflation or the cost of living.”
Workers are also not impressed by the $ 3,000 appreciation payment offered to some health care workers in the state and have questioned why it has not been extended to other public service employees.
Workers say they also deserve to be paid after working on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workers include prison guards, child protection officers and customer service. (9News) Industrial action will continue for 24 hours. (9 News)
NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet said the $ 3,000 payments for health care workers plus the promised 3% wage increases for other front-line workers in NSW announced last week are more than anywhere else in the UK. country.
“The difficult times we face require a responsible response,” he said.
“That’s exactly what happened.”
“Everyone in NSW is going through a tough time,” he said, referring to rising interest rates.
NSW Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet is targeting public sector strikes. (new)
“Difficult times call for governments to act responsibly.
“It would be easy for us to sit here and give in to the union bosses and the demands but we don’t work for the union bosses, we work for the people of our state.”
Several sectors of the state have recently taken industrial action, including transport workers and teachers, all asking the government for a pay rise and better working conditions.
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