Rolling stoppages to protest Kennett cuts

By Di Quin

MELBOURNE -- State public sector unions will begin an industrial action campaign throughout Victoria from May 17 in response to the Kennett government's vicious funding cuts, especially to health, education and public sector workers' superannuation.

The action will affect schools, hospitals and other state government services in every region in Victoria, starting in Traralgon and ending mid-way through September in Lilydale. Rolling half-day stop-works will be held every day (except during school holidays) in order to maximise publicity.

Teacher unions have rejected a recommendation by the federal Industrial Relations Commission that industrial action cease while an application for a federal award to regulate teacher redundancies is being considered.

The president of the State Public Services Federation, Kay McVey, stated that its members in the regions would also participate. The union has members in government offices, schools and hospitals.

The government has begun negotiations with unions over its plans to reduce superannuation benefits of public sector workers. It has said that no action will be taken on superannuation until August.

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