NSW public sector workers have rallied outside the NSW parliament to vent their displeasure over the government’s proposed pay rise, amid calls for the state’s wages cap to be scrapped. 

Public Service Association (PSA) members, which range from prison officers, park rangers, school support staff, ServiceNSW workers and civilian police employees, went on strike saying they deserve a pay rise above inflation after a decade of wage restraint. 

The workers marched up Macquarie St in Sydney, but the crowd did not match the size of recent strikes done by teachers and nurses. 

Other demonstrations were held across the state in Bathurst, Dubbo, Grafton, Newcastle, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga. 

Premier Dominic Perrottet announced a 2.5 per cent annual cap on public sector wage rises, which would be increased to three per cent next financial year. He also announced an additional 3.5 per cent for the following year after depending on productivity gains. 

But PSA senior vice president Juliette Sizer told members a fair pay rise “starts at 5.2 per cent”, 0.1 per cent above inflation. 

Unions have called for the wages cap to be raised further to at least reflect the rate of inflation, while some want it abolished altogether. 

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party leader Robert Borsak introduced a bill to the upper house on Wednesday to repeal the cap, stating that the policy entrenched low pay for public sector workers, and helped depress wages more broadly by setting an unofficial standard for the private sector. 

Labor upper house MP Adam Searle said workers would effectively get a pay cut because the wage cap had not been lifted above the current level of inflation. 

“It’s time to scrap the wages cap in NSW,” he said. 

NSW Premier Perrottet dismissed the strike as politically motivated, stating that the wage rise was fair and responsible within the confines of the June 21 budget. 

“Our public servants have just received the biggest public sector pay increase anywhere in the nation,” he said. 

“It’s not just the public servants that are going through a challenging time, it’s every person across NSW after coming through the pandemic.”. 

PSA general secretary Stewart Little said a pay rise for public servants would benefit the broader economy. 

“He’s in charge of the largest workforce in the country … no one more than Mr Perrottet can do something about addressing wages,” he said. 

“We had a decade of wage restraint.” 

The NSW Government also announced frontline health staff would receive a $3000 bonus in recognition of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mr Little backed the bonus for health workers, but questioned why it should be limited to them as teachers, prison officers and emergency service workers should also get the payment.

Meanwhile, the NSW Premier confirmed that part-time and casual health workers would get the $3000 payment after concerns were raised by the union. 

An NSW government spokesman revealed that health ministry staff, including epidemiologists, contact tracers and other support staff, will also receive the bonus. 

With AAP

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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