NSW Public servants will hold a statewide 24-hour strike next Wednesday (8 May) unless the NSW Government agrees to a 5.2 per cent wage increase to allow workers to keep up with the soaring cost of living.
Some of the state's 40,000 prison officers, park rangers, school support staff, child protection officers, civilian workers in police, and Service NSW staff will walk off the job across the state.
"Public sector workers in New South Wales have had their wages capped for 11 long years and now they're being asked to cop inflation too – something has to give," said Stewart Little, general secretary of the Public Service Association.
"With today's economy, Dominic Perrottet's 2.5 % wage increase limit is now acting as a real wage cut – even if workers negotiate the maximum rise possible it will still be harder to pay their bills.
"Politicians on Macquarie Street get an extra $30,000 every time they join a committee and they're asking prison officers and child protection officers to cop a pay cut after a decade of stagnation? It's just not something our members can accept.
"I've written to Premier Perrottet outlining the case of a wage increase ahead of the current 5.1% rate of inflation. The government has until the end of Monday 6 June to respond with an acceptable wages offer or the strike on Wednesday will go ahead."
Mr Little said he believed there was widespread public support for the concerns of public sector workers — especially in light of the pandemic.
"During Covid our prison officers have stared down riots in our tense, locked down jails," Mr Little said.
"Child protection officers have responded to ever increasing rates of domestic and family violence, owing to pandemic stress.
"School support officers have kept our kids learning, whether at home or in socially distanced classrooms.
"SES and RFS workers have delivered life-saving services to those in floods, bushfires, and other natural disasters.
"Service NSW staff have helped us all navigate changing health regulations, while other officials have made sure support is available to keep small businesses going."
Mr Little also emphasised that a win for public sector workers would be a broader win for the NSW economy.
"A pay rise for public sector is economically smart because public sector wages get pumped straight back into the economy and stimulate growth, particularly in regional NSW. They also set the benchmark for wages generally,"
"Our state is generating plenty of wealth but it's not making its way down to people who do real work for our community. That has to change. As the largest employer in the country, Premier Perrottet has more power to fix Australia's wage crisis than any other leader."
Stewart Little 0434 062 079
Suze Metherell 0412 867 084
