North Coast Action Group: Feedback from candidate meeting Ballina electorate
In December PSA Delegation met with the Member of Parliament for the seat of Ballina, the Hon Tamara Smith to discuss the effect of the unfair NSW Public Sector wages cap is having on workers in our region. The delegation was Senior Vice President Juliette Sizer Schools, Susan Nichols DCJ Community Services and Sandra Baker DCJ Court Services.
The delegation explained to Ms. Smith that members are buckling under these unfair laws as the cost of living increases and the situation for our members on the north coast has been exacerbated by the recent floods. Members discussed chronic staff shortages in Community Services and other agencies due to impact of COVID, efficiency dividends and the housing crisis on the north coast. Juliette spoke to Ms. Smith at length about the insecure work that many of our Schools members work under.
When asked about the wages cap Ms. Smith said that its Green’s policy to scrap the wages cap and that Public Sector wages should keep up with inflation. Ms. Smith supports the PSA end to any further privatisation of our public assets and addressing the insecure work issue that many of our members face.
In February PSA met with Andrew Broadley who is the Labor Candidate for the Ballina electorate and a Teacher in a local state high school. Mr. Broadley said Labor’s policy is to remove the public sector workers salary cap. This requires legislative change, so it can only occur if there is a change of government. In recent times Public Sector workers have the case for this change however the Liberals and Nationals have ignored all reasonable attempts to facilitate discussions with employee groups. The staffing crisis across all public services, affecting PSA members, will only be addressed when Labor, under Chris Minns, scraps the cap!
In February PSA wrote to the Nationals Candidate John Booyens asking his view on the wages cap and privatisation and received no reply.
In the lead up to the NSW election to be held on 25 March, the PSA is campaigning for the overturning of the NSW Government’s wages policy, putting an end to privatisation of the NSW Public Sector and for greater job security for NSW Public Sector workers.
Join the REAL JOBS REAL WAGES North Coast Webinar on the 21 February at 4pm.
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If you’d like to be involved with the our North Coast Campaign Action Group please contact any of the following Regional Organisers: