AUWU rejects austerity and public sector pay freeze
The AUWU condemns the NSW Government's move to freeze wages for public sector workers in its effort to protect the budget surplus in the wake of COVID19.
Undermining pay and conditions for any worker undermines pay and conditions for all workers - we unequivocally reject false claims that austerity will benefit the economy.
For years, public sector workers have been stretched beyond their breaking point by constant cuts to funding, changes to contracts, and the slashing and privatisation of vital services. They should not have to worry about losing hard-fought entitlements, such as penalty rates, paid leave, and wage-increases - in stark contrast to the NSW police commissioner's extraordinary $87,000 pay rise - on top of the stress and strain of continuing to work amid a deadly contagion.
This pandemic has exposed which industries are truly essential for Australia to continue to function. It's painfully clear that frontline workers should not be sacrificed to protect the profits of the uber-rich.
The AUWU is calling on crossbench MPs to stand firm and reject this regulation.
Media contact: 0404 089 575 / jeremy.poxon at auwu.org.au
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