Better State news
President of Muswellbrook Teachers Association enters the office of George Souris Member for The Upper Hunter
Thirty teachers with other community members and other workers met at Muswellbrook to condemn the harsh policies being threatened by the O’Farrell government against public sector workers. Teachers came from Singletonn and Scone Associations to support the protest. Mary Yaager from Unions NSW and Fred Dumbrell Hunter Teachers Organiser spoke to the meeting before they moved outside the local MP’s office
Pauline Clark President of Muswellbrook Association delivered a letter of protest to George Souris’ office. He was asked to guarantee the security of employment for local workers.
Workers chanted and sang outside the office angry at the prospect of losing working conditions and suffering reduced wages.
Members resolved to continue the campaign against draconian policies towards public servants.
Penrith Rally for your rights at work
Thank you to all the people who came to the rally for your rights at work in Penrith!
We got some great pictures which you can find here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unionsnsw/sets/72157627189741334/show/
We also had some excellent news coverage in the local papers, which is here:
http://penrith-press.whereilive.com.au/news/story/hundreds-protest-against-new-ir-laws-in-penrith/
Again, thanks to all those who showed their solidartiy and who voiced their concerns to the government, the rally at Penrith was a huge success!
Gosford Rally for your rights Pictures
A big thank you to the Central Coast unions, all past and present union members who turned out in great numbers at yesterday’s rally, well done !
A Debrief for union delegates, workplace reps and active union members will be held lunchtime Tuesday 19th 12 – 1pm in Gosford venue tbc.
Here is the link to the photos from the day:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unionsnsw/sets/72157627072484883/show/
And here is the link to TV News story:
http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2011/07/14/public-sector-wages-rally-attracts-hundreds/
Alison Rahill
Your Rights At Work – How you can get involved.
The Liberal NSW Government is Slashing workers rights and conditions in the public sector.
So what can you do about it?
Here are 5 ways you can get involved:
1. Get informed, find out exactly what they are taking from you.
2. Send a message, print off this petition and get it signed.
3. Come to local rally, find one near you.
4. Let your local MP know what you think, find out how to contact them.
5. Sign up to be on the campaign mailing list.
And remember, Yourrightsatwork are worth fighting for.
Your Rights At Work – What is the Government really taking away?
The NSW O’Farrell Liberal Government has slashed the rights of public sector workers and is planning to take away hard-won conditions of employment. Do you know what the government has taken from you?
An electoral landslide does not give you a mandate to attack workers’ rights
There must be an instruction manual for incoming governments that demands rhetoric about election mandates and Budget black holes.
Whether they get in by whisker or romp it home in a landslide, they all claim a “mandate” – seemingly, code for doing all the things that were never mentioned at the election. And with mind numbing predictability, the mandate’s evil twin, the Budget black hole gets trotted out as well.
Few incoming governments, however, have used these well-worn political clichés as cynically as the current NSW Government. Barry O’Farrell is now tenuously relying on both to unfairly attack the rights of public sector workers in NSW. Under changes currently before parliament, the state’s nurses, teachers, fire fighters and prison officers will have weaker workplace rights than any other worker in the country.
The Premier continually seeks to hide behind a fig leaf of implementing the previous government’s wages policy and getting public finances in order. Why then does his policy go so far beyond wages?
Under the Industrial Relations (Public Sector Conditions of Employment) Bill, the Government will have the right to determine all conditions of employment for public sector workers. The Industrial Relations Commission – which previously exercised that role – will have the job of enforcing the government’s regulations.
In practical terms, the independent umpire will be sidelined and Parliament will determine conditions for the very people it employs. Unless workers can show “employee related savings” (either job cuts or poorer conditions) they will not get a pay rise above 2.5 per cent. As anyone living in Sydney knows, that’s a pay cut in real terms.
The policy means everything is up for grabs. From annual leave and sick leave to superannuation and hours at work. Nothing is sacred and nothing is protected by an independent umpire.
The question this government will not answer is why do these fundamental rights have to be stripped away if this is about wages and public finances? What is the broader agenda?
And if the Government does push ahead with its wage straitjacket, who will look after the sick, drive our buses and work in our juvenile justice centres?
A recent study by the University of Sydney’s Workplace Research Centre paints an alarming picture of public services under the Coalition’s policy. According to their independent modelling, if the policy had been in place for the last decade, pay rates for NSW nurses, police and teachers would languish well below their counterparts interstate, by thousands of dollars. A registered nurse would be worse off by $12,232 a year, a teacher by $14,580 and a senior constable by $8,961.
You can rest assured of one thing. If this policy had been in place you’d have no problem with public sector wages, because you would have no workers. They would all be in WA or Queensland.
There’s no doubt Barry O’Farrell and the Liberal/National Coalition scored a thumping victory at the recent state election. Hundreds of thousands of NSW voters shifted their vote to the conservatives, fed up with the ALP’s naval gazing, ministerial scandals and indecision over rail infrastructure.
But an electoral landslide does not a mandate make. Just ask John Howard.
The then-Opposition promised to improve front line services and retain the powers of the industrial relations commission. Now, from the comfort of Treasury benches they’re introducing radical changes at breakneck speed, attacking the very people they want to deliver those services.
Unions want to work with the Government on a new productivity agenda. Our public services can work smarter and more efficiently without job cuts and pay freezes.
Unions want consultation and co-operation. But failing that, we will challenge these unfair laws in the courts and the community, ensuring everyone knows just what’s at stake.
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.
Survey reveals substantial community opposition to state workplace laws
As workers prepare to rally for public sector workplace rights, a new survey has revealed substantial community opposition to Barry O’Farrell’s unfair attack on the rights of nurses, police, firefighters and other public sector workers.
A Your Source poll, commissioned by Unions NSW has found 78.65% of respondents DO NOT think the State Government has a mandate to remove the rights of nurses, ambulance officers, teachers, fire-fighters and prison officers to have wages and conditions determined by the independent umpire, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.
On the question of whether nurses, ambulance officers, fire-fighters, teachers and prison officers are overpaid, 93.82% disagreed.
The survey also asked if respondents agreed with a 2.5 per cent cap on pay rises for these public sector workers, with 59.83% disagreeing.
“This is a vote of no confidence in Barry O’Farrell’s unfair attack on the rights of NSW public sector workers,” Unions NSW Secretary, Mark Lennon said.
“Since we launched our campaign against Barry O’Farrell’s unfair public sector workplace laws, we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from nurses, teachers, fire-fighters and other public sector workers.
“It’s heartening for the state’s 400,000 public sector workers to know that the public is onside and believes they deserve first rate workplace conditions.
“As Parliament votes on these unfair laws, we’ll be rallying on Macquarie Street to make it clear that no Australian worker should have to sacrifice workplace rights when they go to negotiate a pay rise.
“The Government needs to know that this doesn’t end today. We will continue this campaign in the community and the courts.
“Public sector workers in NSW do vital work every day, getting us to and from work, keeping people healthy and protecting our streets. They deserve the same workplace rights as everyone else in the community.”
Act now: protect your right to a fair wage
The PSA is joining public sector unions across NSW to fight an attempt by the O’Farrell Government to change the law to undermine public sector wages and conditions.
Today, the NSW Government will table a bill to:
- freeze public sector pay
- cut services to the community, and
- put a straightjacket on the NSW Industrial Relations Commission – our independent umpire for resolving disputes on public sector pay and conditions.
This bill could be passed by both houses of parliament and become law in a matter of weeks.
This would put a stop to the PSA’s case currently before the IRC arguing for a decent pay rise for 100,000 public service workers in NSW, based on productivity improvements achieved.
It will mean if the Government does not bargain with its employees in good faith, we will no longer have the IRC (the independent umpire) to go to for wage justice.
Public sector workers could face the choice of having to cut jobs and services to pay for their own pay rise.
The PSA will fight this law – we need your help.
Tell the cross-benchers who hold the balance of power in the NSW parliament how this law would affect you, your family and your community.
Take action now, here on the Better State website.
Thanks for your support. Tell your friends, family and colleagues to have their say too.
John Cahill
General Secretary, NSW Public Service Association
No answers, no mandate
As we head into the election, 216 candidates in more than 50 seats from across the political spectrum have signed up to support the Better Services for a Better State campaign principles. That’s a great outcome.
Better Services for a Better State has played a visible and positive role in this campaign – putting services at the centre of the debate and inspiring many thousands of voters to take action online and many thousands more to attend our ‘meet the candidate’ events. Thanks to everyone involved.
The campaign has asked Mr O’Farrell to sign the Better State 5 Point Plan. He has refused.
It’s not too late for Mr O’Farrell to sign the plan and show his commitment to jobs and services in NSW. Or otherwise to tell NSW voters why he won’t sign and what his plans are.
Read my blog on The Punch today about Barry O’Farrell’s failure to tell us what he plans.
During this campaign, I have travelled extensively across NSW to talk to voters about public services and how we can maintain and improve them. There is a deep concern in NSW about emergency services, health services, community services and education, as well as our essential assets like power and water.
There may be a mood for a change of government, but there is no mood for service cutbacks and asset sell-offs. An O’Farrell Government would not be able to claim any popular mandate if they act on these issues, having not told the people of NSW their plans.
Whatever the outcome on Saturday, the Better Services Campaign will continue and will be holding the next government to account on the principles outlined in the 5 point plan. The provision of public services, protection of public assets and respect for workers rights.