Member survey on public sector salaries – May 2018 (PDF version)

Since taking office as General Secretary, I have sought to be proactive in the way we fight to protect your rights at work. This has involved PSA advocates fighting for a range of conditions, individual matters, safety, and workers’ compensation matters.

Unfortunately, we are constrained in how much we can do for members by the unfair rules we face, imposed by the current Liberal National Government here in NSW.

There is no scope for the PSA to claim more than 2.5 per cent per year without giving away conditions. We cannot bargain based on productivity gains, nor can we bargain against the budget cuts, job cuts or efficiency dividends imposed on our agencies year after year by this government.

This is why we need to Change the Rules in NSW, to fight for a fairer society led by fairer governments.

The PSA will soon finalise another 2.5 per cent pay increase for workers within the NSW Public Service and some related agencies. The process should be complete by the end of this month.

Unfortunately, this deal will only be for one year, as the Government continues to deny us longer deals to try to force our hand on changes to conditions. This is something the PSA will refuse to do while I am General Secretary.

In the interest of continuing to involve members in our decision-making, I now seek guidance from you on how you would like the PSA to deal with wages for the period 2019-20.

In March next year, NSW will go to the polls to elect a new government.

We had hoped to lock down a 2.5 per cent salary increase now to allow us to focus on ensuring all parties are aware of the need to restore fairness to the NSW Industrial Relations system at the next election.

We could still attempt that by lodging an early application and commencing bargaining with the Government now, or we could wait until after the election next March and hope a new administration will restore fairness, and provide the public sector with a fairer pay increase – one that reflects the past five years of unfair increases.

Later this month, delegates and members from all areas of the union will come together for our Annual Conference. This is one of the many issues we will be discussing at this event. But, as much as we would like everyone to attend, that just isn’t possible. For the second year running, we’ve had more members apply to come to Conference than there are spots available.

To make sure all voices are heard, we ask members who won’t be at conference to provide their feedback HERE. Your comments will be added to those of attendees at the Annual Conference and the advice of our staff as we work towards getting the best possible outcome.

Thank you for your continued contribution to the PSA this year and I hope to continue to work with you on restoring fairness to our working lives.

Stewart Little
General Secretary