Workers across Tasmanias public sector will take strike action on Wednesday the 9th of November following another meeting yesterday between union leaders and Government negotiators that failed to result in an acceptable pay and conditions offer that could go towards settling public sector bargaining.
Teachers, health workers, firefighters, cleaners, school staff, child protection and more have been left with no choice but to take industrial action. Urgent action by Government is required to address a retention and recruitment crisis that sees schools, hospitals, and essential community services suffering from staffing shortages and under-resourcing, leaving thousands of Tasmanians missing out or denied services.
At the same time, the people working in our public service are feeling the pressure of the skyrocketing cost of living. They need and deserve a pay rise that helps them deal with these rising costs.
Members of the Australian Education Union (AEU), the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), the United Workers Union (UWU), and the United Firefighters Union (UFU) will take industrial action on Wednesday the 9th of November.
All members of other public sector unions not yet in formal bargaining, as well as members of the Tasmanian community, will be invited to join large rallies being planned in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, and Devonport.
Public sector unions are united in their shared challenges of securing improvements to working conditions and fair pay rises and theyre prepared to take action together to make that happen, said Ms Munday.
While weve seen some movement, its nowhere near enough. With many public sector workers due for a pay rise on 1 December, the pressure is on the Government to deliver wages and conditions that are fair, that recognise those cost-of-living pressures, and that commit to taking action on the critical issues of attraction, retention, and staffing.
We wont keep waiting for the Government to come up with a decent offer. Were taking action to make it happen, said Ms Munday.
For further information: Jessica Munday 0417 454 809
PDF copy available here: Public sector strikes set for the 9th of November.pdf
