PUBLIC SECTOR TAKE ACTION

Red News Readers,

Too late for nurses!!

Jenny Haines

Public sector to take day of action

July 3, 2008 - 1:46PM, smh

Police, firefighters, teachers and other public sector workers will stage a statewide day of action later this month in protest at the NSW government's cap on wage increases.

Unions NSW secretary John Robertson said public sector workers had set aside July 30 as the day they "withdraw their goodwill" and take action that will "impact on the government's bottom line".

Ruling out any strike action on that day, Mr Robertson said July 30 would mark the start of an ongoing campaign for better pay for public sector workers.

"This is a campaign that isn't going to see all the shots fired on day one," Mr Robertson told reporters.

"We are going to escalate this campaign to ensure (NSW Premier) Morris Iemma gets the message."

Public sector unions are angered by the state government's decision to keep a 2.5 per cent cap on wage increases.

The government has said it is willing to offer higher increases if money can be saved in other areas.

While Mr Robertson would not specify what action would be taken on July 30, he said the broader campaign could involve stoppages, people refusing to collect fines and bans on overtime.

"None of it can be ruled out," Mr Robertson said.

Rail workers have already voted to carry out industrial action in the next 30 days after their pay negotiations with the government broke down.

However, the state's nurses accepted an eight per cent pay rise from the government over the next two years just a week ago.

Mr Robertson said the 2.5 per cent increase was well below inflation, meaning public sector workers were effectively taking a pay cut.

"We want, at the very least, to see public sector workers maintain their standard of living," he said.

"If the government wants to have a discussion about productivity, those improvements ought to be paid over and above people maintaining their standard of living."

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