NSW Government plans attack on public sector entitlements

Plans by the O’Farrell Government to slash benefits for 80,000 public sector workers have been revealed, angering workers who say it’s a disgraceful attack on working conditions.

The NSW Government confirmed it applied to the NSW Industrial Commission to change public sector awards, which could see cuts to a range of entitlements including annual leave loading, penalties for shift workers and allowances for workers stationed in remote areas.

Some flexible work arrangements, parental leave and sick leave entitlements are also at risk from the changes.

Loco Division Secretary Bob Hayden said that while Locomotive members are not directly affected as they come under the Federal system, the move in NSW is a worrying sign of what could come should the Coalition gain power at the next Federal election.

“We need to show solidarity with our NSW public sector colleagues – we can’t have this setting the trend for cuts around the country and federally.

“There appears to be a worrying trend among conservative state governments of cutting away at the public sector. Loco members are safe from the cuts now because we’re under the Federal system, but if Tony Abbott gets elected and adopts the same approach with the sector, it’ll be our entitlements in the firing line.

“This is a terrible attack on workers’ conditions. We’ll be supporting public sector unions to ensure they don’t get through. We can’t have the 80,000 public sector workers in NSW being the only workers in the country that don’t get annual leave loading and other vital conditions that have been fought for over the years.

“How do they expect to attract and retain workers in the public sector if they slash all workers’ entitlements? In a growing state, we should be doing everything we can to improve our public sector, not slashing it at every opportunity.

“These cuts to vital entitlements will have a flow-on effects to the economy and communities across the state. In particular, plans to slash incentives for working in remote areas will rob our rural communities of a quality workforce.”

Public servants are planning stop work rallies between 9am and 1pm on October 8^th.