The PSA wrote to the NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis, on 5 June 2023 about the NSW Government’s announcement of a Public Sector pay rise offer of 4 per cent plus a 0.5 per cent increase to superannuation. Your union requested a formal offer be put in writing to the PSA.

The PSA also sought further clarification about other issues of importance to our members, including:

1. The restoration of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).
2. Confirmation of when the Government Sector Employment Regulation 2014 (“wages cap”) will be repealed.
3. The removal of the “efficiency dividend”.
4. A commitment to job security with no forced redundancies and redundancy offered as a last resort.
5. The inappropriate use of casuals, temporary staff, labour hire and consultants.
6. The repeal of the Government Sector Employment Act and replacing it with modern legislation in consultation with public sector unions.
7. A review of the Senior Executive Service.
8. The Terms of Reference and timeframe for the proposed Industrial Relations Taskforce.

Minister Cotsis’ response to the PSA’s letter included the following:

The NSW Government has announced the establishment of an Industrial Relations Taskforce “to begin building a more consultative industrial relations system, based on mutual interest and collaboration with the workforce.”

“The Industrial Relations Taskforce will be consulting with unions and will complete its work to enable a modern industrial relations system to be in place before the end of 2023.

“In the meantime, the NSW Government is offering an increase to the salaries of public sector workers of:

• 4.0 per cent increase to salaries and salary-related allowances; and
• 0.5 percentage point increase in the superannuation guarantee from 1 July 2023.

1. The NSW Government will ensure the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) is independent and properly resourced.
2. Public sector workers need an independent Commission that can effectively exercise its jurisdiction to determine fair and reasonable conditions of employment, unconstrained by a legislated wages cap.
3. The NSW Labor Government will ensure a collaborative and productivity-based approach to improving efficiency.
4. The retrenchment of staff will be a last resort which should be avoided wherever practicable.
5. The NSW Labor Government is committed to cutting back on the use of consultants in the public service. The Government is reviewing the use of casuals, labour hire and external consultants who have a role in supporting public sector workers, not in place of public sector workers.
6. A review of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 will start before the end of the year.
7. No clarification.
8. The Industrial Relations Taskforce will be consulting with unions and will complete its work to enable a modern industrial relations system to be in place before the end of 2023.”

Members will have received an email with their link to vote. The survey closes at 3.30pm on 29 June.