Public Service Association members rally in Wagga as NSW Government urged to increase wages

The Public Service Association called a statewide 24-hour strike after becoming frustrated at the NSW government's refusal to bow to its calls for a 5.4 per cent pay rise.

The PSA represents thousands of public servants employed in government departments and agencies, including school support workers, prison officers and Service NSW staff.

The strike proceeded as planned despite the Perrottet government this week announcing it would raise the controversial public sector pay cap from 2.5 to 3 per cent next year and to 3.5 per cent the year after that.

The premier also revealed that NSW Health staff would receive a one-off $3000 lump sum in recognition of their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

PSA youth justice delegate Suzi Evans said a 'thanks' from the government was not good enough as members face serious struggles due to inflation.

"We've been thanked by the government but thanks isn't going to cut it," she said.

"Youth justice members have turned up every day of the pandemic, we've turned up every day for our young people to help them achieve good outcomes.

"Inflation is at 5.1 per cent, we've just had another interest rate increase - our members need to buy groceries, they need to get their kids to school, they need to pay their mortgages, utility rates have gone through the roof."

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The striking workers gathered outside the office of Wagga MP Joe McGirr, who was not present but has previously given his support to the campaign.

PSA member Glenn Elliott-Rudder said public service workers need to be rewarded for the work they have done throughout the pandemic, floods and fires.

"It has been the public service workers that the community has turned to in times of crisis and it's time that is rewarded," he said.

"The last two-and-a-half years have been very hard, many places haven't been able to close - many workers here today haven't been able to work from home because they're front line workers, such as in prisons, child protection or in the court system.

"We've heard the premier say that we are heroes, well it's time they reward the 'heroes' in a practical sense with a pay rise. Those words ultimately mean nothing."

Mr Elliott-Rudder said with a state election coming up in 10 months' time, if people feel the government isn't listening to them it will be reflected at the ballot box.

PSA union member Shane Elliott said the government's proposal to lift the public sector wage cap from 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent over two years was "absolutely disrespectful".

However, NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean slammed the strike, saying: "This is not about pay, this is not about conditions, this is about politics."

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said while the unions are only sticking up for their members, everyone is facing challenging times which require a responsible approach from the government.

"A 3 per cent pay increase is more than anywhere else in the country and it's twice as much as in Victoria," he said.

"When you're working through budgets, which are naturally under pressure after going through a pandemic, it's important that we prioritise those needs."

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