O鈥橣arrell Government attacks conditions of up to 100,000 public sector workers
The NSW Public Service Association has condemned the NSW Government鈥檚 Industrial Commission application to slash the job security, conditions and benefits of up to 100,000 public sector workers in NSW.
The Government has proposed radical cuts to conditions, including:
- Cutting leave loading;
- Cutting penalty payments for shift workers;
- Cutting allowances for living in remote areas;
- Winding back carers鈥 leave; and
- Tightening rules around parental leave to exclude long-term foster carers, surrogate parents and kinship care arrangements.
General Secretary John Cahill said the plans were a disgraceful further attack on the public sector workers, with the removal of conditions coming on top of a proposed 15,000 job cut.
鈥淭he union will resist any and all proposals by the O鈥橣arrell Government to wind back the hard-fought for benefits and conditions for public service staff,鈥 Mr Cahill said today.
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鈥淭hese changes will leave tens of thousands of workers 鈥 including prison officers, park rangers, disability support workers, school support staff and community services case workers 鈥 out of pocket.
鈥淭he proposal, when coupled with an existing 2.5% wage cap and ongoing staff cutbacks, reduces public sector workers to second class status 鈥 less pay, fewer benefits and more insecure employment.
鈥淚t will have flow-on effects across the economy and the community. Regional NSW will be hard hit by wage cuts and the loss of incentives for workers living in remote areas.
鈥淚ndustrial action against the proposal will start with stop-work meetings across NSW on October 8, where we will discuss stepping up efforts against the attack.
鈥淲e simply can鈥檚 stand aside as the O鈥橣arrell Government attempts to dismantle the decent system of fair pay and conditions fought for by workers for years,鈥 Mr Cahill said.
听Contact: John Cahill 0419 413 577 / Jane Garcia 0434 489 533