The NSW Premier's announcement to freeze the pay of public sector workers for 12 months is disgraceful. Paramedics and our colleagues have been crucial to overcoming the COVID-19 crisis. While the Government praises us as heroes for our hard work, they serve a pay freeze that will ultimately send our wages backwards.
The Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) ('APA (NSW)') are appalled at this announcement. Freezing our wages shows complete disregard for us and our colleagues when we have risked our health and safety to keep New South Wales on its feet throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NSW Government says this is about saving jobs, but freezing wages of frontline public sector workers only makes us pay for this pandemic, when we have worked so hard to protect our communities.
"The wage freeze proposal is offensive, when you consider how much Paramedics and our colleagues have done for the people of New South Wales," said APA (NSW) President Chris Kastelan.
APA (NSW) are pleased to see Labor, the Greens and a number of minor parties pledging to support frontline public sector workers and block this proposal.
"We have been out on the road, putting ourselves and our family at risk for the good of our patients and have received a kick in the teeth by the NSW Government for our efforts" said Mr Kastelan.
"This Government claims to be grateful for everything we have sacrificed but clearly their words are nothing more than lip service." said Mr Kastelan.
