[Greens-Media] Public sector workers saved from O'Farrell meanness

[David Shoebridge MLC]

*Media Release: Public sector workers saved from O'Farrell meanness*



The NSW Upper House today voted to ensure that the NSW Government passed on
in full the 2.5% wage increase for public sector workers that was agreed
with the public sector union in 2013. By voting to disallow the Industrial
Relations (Public Sector Conditions of Employment) Amendment Regulation
2013 the Upper House prevented the O'Farrell government from siphoning off
part of the 2.5% wage agreement to meet the 0.25% increase in Federally
mandated superannuation.


The motion and debate today was a repeat of the motion and debate in the
Upper House on 21 August 2013 when the government's first attempt to pass
this regulation was disallowed.  Despite losing this vote the government
re-made the regulation on 23 December 2013 which was again disallowed
today.


The motion was moved by the ALP and won majority support with the votes of
the Greens, the CDP and Shooters Party.


Greens MP and Industrial Relations Spokesperson, David Shoebridge, said:


"This was another example of just how mean spirited and loose with the
truth the O'Farrell government has become.


"The government agreed to give public sector workers a 2.5% wage increase
last year, and then straight after decided to shave 0.25% of that back to
pay the federally mandated increase in superannuation.


"The O'Farrell government knew at the time they agreed with the Public
Sector Association to a 2.5% wage deal that they would also have to pay the
0.25% increase in superannuation.


"After shaking hands on a wage agreement the government then turned around
and reneged on the deal.


"It is simply unfair to force working people to meet the compulsory
increase in superannuation out of their own wages.


"This is especially true for public sector workers who are already facing
an arbitrary 2.5% wage cap under the O'Farrell Government.


"The Federal superannuation increase is a levy on employers and it's
employers who are required to pay it, even the O'Farrell government should
realise this," Mr Shoebridge said.



*-- *

* David ShoebridgeGreens MP in the NSW Legislative Council P: (02) 9230
3030 |Media: 0408 113 952|T: @ShoebridgeMLC
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