The New South Wales Public Service Association (PSA) is the latest union to challenge the NSW government’s 2.5% wage cap.
PSA members and delegates, representing around 40,000 PSA members working for the government, endorsed strike and other actions on June 8 at the union’s annual conference on May 27.
Over the last year, the Transport Workers Union, Rail, Tram and Bus Union, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, Health Services Union, Ambulance and Paramedics Union, NSW Teachers Federation and Catholic school teachers, principals and support staff have all take action for better conditions and a pay rise.
The salary cap was first introduced in 2008 by former NSW Labor Treasurer Mick Costa. It was later legislated by Barry O’Farrell’s Coalition government.
The pay cap was further reduced when the government incorporated the Super Guarantee levy rise into it.
The PSA argues its members have helped NSW through a pandemic, floods, bushfires and a mouse plague, and that a pay rise is long overdue.
[For more on the Day of Action click here. Steve O’Brien is a member of the Public Service Association Central Council and the Socialist Alliance.]