We need a fair pay rise – February 2019 (PDF version)

The public sector wages cap and how it affects you

Since 2011, the NSW Coalition Government has had a legislated public sector cap on our wages increases.

This cap significantly limits the power of our union to negotiate wage increases.

This cap means that our wages have risen no more than 2.5 per cent each year.

Comparatively, under the previous Labor Government (1995-2011), the union achieved an average annual wage increase of four per cent and under the Greiner Coalition Government before that (1988-1995), the union achieved (after lengthy arbitration) an average annual increase of three per cent. Our wage increases from 1988 to now are outlined in the following table:

Crown Employees (Public Sector Salaries) Award increases 1988 – 2018

The O’Farrell Government justified introducing the cap by referencing it against the Reserve Bank of Australia’s target band for inflation. If the RBA meets this inflation target, the cap essentially freezes your real wage. If inflation exceeds the RBA target, the cap means your real wage takes a cut.

NSW is Australia’s most expensive state to live in, and the cost of living is going up. Yet, despite your hard work and the cuts made across the public sector, this Government’s wages cap is holding you back from a fair pay rise.

As part of our NSW State Election Campaign, the PSA will be fighting to axe the wages cap and allow pay rises commensurate with the cost of living and your contributions to public services.

If you would like to get involved in the PSA’s campaign, please click HERE and enter your details.

SAVE THE STATE. CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT.

WATCH THE TV AD HERE