Pay ‘insult’ amid cost of living pain
ANGRY public servants have hit back at a pay offer from the State Government with a demand for an increase of more than 3 per cent.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein has formally offered unions an annual increase of 2 per cent for the next three years.
Unions representing groups including nurses and fire fighters have responded with the threat of industrial action.
They say seven years of the 2 per cent wage cap have left members struggling with the cost of living.
“A 2 per cent offer is just an insult,” Health and Community Services Union state secretary Tim Jacobson said.
“Wage increases above the 3 per cent is where we really need to be to get a decent outcome for members and to address the cost of living pressure in Tasmania.”
Mr Gutwein argues a 3 per cent rise would cost the State Budget an additional $28 million each year.
But unions accuse the State Government of failing to negotiate in good faith by stubbornly sticking to its wage cap.
“People have put in over the last seven years on the basis that at some point they thought they would get a return,” Mr Jacobson said.
“It’s not keeping pace with real inflation out there — cost of living, rent, power prices, rates are going up well beyond that.”
Strikes are not being ruled out but unions say any industrial action will be designed to hurt the Government rather than the public.
“Our members know better than anyone what it feels like to have to exercise budget restraint,” United Voice’s Jannette Armstrong said.
Nurses are already taking action over safety and conditions at the Launceston General Hospital.
Nurses union branch secretary Emily Shepherd said that could also be considered at the Royal Hobart Hospital, even before the wage offer is considered. It follows a series of level four escalations and instances of up to 10 ambulances ramped.
“Our members are concerned that there will be a serious incident,” Ms Shepherd said.
Mr Gutwein has said the offer would allow the State Government to invest more in frontline services.