ACT workers begin campaign to save jobs

By Tim Gooden CANBERRA — The ACT Liberal minority government, supported by the independents and the Greens, has offered government workers a 4.3% pay increase in return for forced redundancies and "reforms" to the public sector, including corporatisation of ACTION (public buses) and compulsory tendering of government services. The government says only 2.6% will be funded, with the remainder coming from "productivity gains". At an all-union combined delegates meeting held on January 16, delegates rejected the government's offer as "ridiculous". They endorsed the unions' counter-offer of a 9% fully funded pay increase over 18 months to keep up with the cost of living and maintain equal pay with Commonwealth government workers. The government has been given until January 31 to negotiate or face major industrial campaigns. However, it rejected the unions' offer immediately. Union delegates have now established a campaign committee and are preparing a range of actions designed to make the government negotiate sensibly and save the jobs of public sector workers. The campaign committee will meet again on January 24 to develop an industrial campaign. The unions' demands are: equal pay, a fair pay rise to meet the cost of living and maintain jobs in the public service. However, the government is determined to follow the Kennett model and sell off public assets to the private profiteers at the expense of community services.