The announcement in the State Budget to return to the 2.5 per cent salary increase vindicates our decision to challenge the Government’s plans for a smaller rise.
The PSA was the first public sector union to challenge the Government’s decision for a 1.5 per cent pay rise in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).
In the months leading up to the State Budget, the State Government mooted a 1.5 per cent salaries increase for Public Servants. Coming on the back of a 0.3 per cent increase the year before, this would have resulted in a cut in real wages for the NSW government workforce.
Not only would this have been a slap in the face for our members who worked hard to save the state, it would also have been an act of economic vandalism. The last thing the NSW economy needs right now is less spending money in circulation.
After consulting with members, who overwhelmingly backed the union’s plan to oppose the 1.5 per cent offer, the PSA lodged its case for a 2.5 per cent increase (2.04 per cent plus a superannuation increase) in the IRC.
The PSA believes the Government should keep its promise of a 2.5 per cent salary increase in 2021, recognising the hard work and productivity increases of all members during 2020 and 2021.
Yours in union,
Stewart Little
General Secretary