The PSA CPSU NSW extends its heartfelt solidarity to our comrades in the Public Service Association (PSA) of New Zealand today as they take historic, courageous strike action to defend public services and demand fair pay and the repeal of unjust workplace laws.
Public sectors across the globe are facing systemic attacks, and the struggle in New Zealand mirrors our own. Facing a severe cost-of-living crisis, real-term pay cuts, and an aggressive austerity agenda, thousands of public servants across Aotearoa are standing up and fighting back.
They are letting the rest of their country know enough is enough.
Public services are the bedrock of a functioning society. The workers who keep our communities safe, healthy, and supported do not take industrial action lightly. Striking is always a last resort, chosen only when governments refuse to negotiate in good faith, ignore safe staffing levels, turn their back on pay equity and look to dismantle the public systems everyday citizens rely upon.
As public sector workers in Australia, we recognise the struggle across the Tasman Sea is our struggle. When public servants stand together, they are not only fighting for fair deals for themselves, they are fighting to protect the integrity of the essential services that care for the public.
They are fighting to protect our functioning societies.
We applaud strength, unity and determination of our comrades in New Zealand. The PSA CPSU NSW stands shoulder-to-shoulder with PSA NZ workers striking across their country today.
Kia Kaha
Stewart Little
General Secretary
Nicole Jess
President