State Government turns its back on public services and the people who deliver them

Today’s passage of the Industrial Relations (Public Sector Conditions of Employment) Bill through the NSW Lower House will strengthen the resolve of the thousands who have committed to campaign against the unfair laws.

The bill has been passed with no mandate and in defiance of the tens of thousands of people who have protested against the laws, either on the streets or through emails and petitions.

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon said the Bill’s passage was a low point for public services and democratic process in NSW.

“Today, Barry O’Farrell and his Coalition Government have passed laws amounting to the most concerted attack on the rights of public sector workers in this state’s history,” Mr Lennon said.

“The O’Farrell Government has ignored the public will and pushed ahead with an unwarranted and unjustified law.

“This Government promised to improve public services and yet they are now attacking the people who deliver them.

The laws will impose a wage rise straitjacket of 2.5 per cent on the state’s nurses, teachers, juvenile justice officers and other public sector workers, effectively meaning they will wear a pay cut.

It also removes a raft of basic rights including sick leave, annual leave, superannuation and rostered hours.

Under the laws, the minister will have the right to unilaterally change employment conditions with no right of appeal to the independent umpire.

“This is not the first government to attack the rights of working people and it’s not the first time we’ve had to campaign in the community,” Mr Lennon said.

“We will campaign in the suburbs and in the regions, ensuring everyone knows the impact of these unfair laws.