Tuesday 02 July 2024
The Supreme Court Gardens will be flush with public sector workers on Wednesday afternoon, as Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association (CPSU/CSA) members take their first mass collective action calling on the Cook Government to provide an improved offer to attract and retain workers to deliver crucial public services to Western Australians.
Lunchtime tomorrow, public sector workers from 140 William Street, David Malcolm Justice Centre, the Courts, the Public Trustee, State Administrative Tribunal, Office of the Public Advocate, WA Police Headquarters and Golden Square will turn out to put public pressure on the Cook Government to address the attraction and retention crisis affecting public service delivery in Western Australia.
It will mark the first of several actions that will take place across a selection of Perth metropolitan and regional locations over the coming weeks.
CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary, Rikki Hendon, said public sector workers would continue to turnout and put pressure on the Cook Government to address the crisis in the sector that is affecting their ability to deliver robust, quality and timely public services to Western Australians.
“On Wednesday, the people who deliver our public services will turn out in force from Perth CBD worksites to demand a pay and conditions deal that helps them catch up and keep up with the cost of living.
“After years of suppressed wage growth under restrictive government policies, the public sector is in an attraction and retention crisis. Skilled and experienced workers are walking out the door for better pay and conditions in the private and NGO sectors.
“Without movement on key claim items, including a 7 per cent and 5 per cent pay rise in the first and second years, a 4-day work week trial, improved superannuation, pay equity in the sector and better regional entitlements for their colleagues in WA’s regions, public service delivery will continue to face delays, as the Government will fail to fill crucial vacancies.
“The Premier needs to properly invest in Western Australia’s public services, and that means investing in the people who deliver them.”
ENDS
- The CPSU/CSA covers 44,000 general public sector workers, one-quarter of the WA public sector, including child protection officers, youth custodial officers, park rangers, veterinary scientists and dental technicians.
- Note to Journalists: Please ensure the full acronym, “CPSU/CSA” when mentioning us. “CPSU” is typically used to refer to the Union that covers Commonwealth, ACT and NT public sector workers. We are related but separate organisations.
For more information or to arrange further comment from Branch Secretary Rikki Hendon or Branch Assistant Secretary Melanie Bray, please contact CPSU/CSA Reception on 08 9323 3800 and ask for the Media and Stakeholder Engagement Officer.
