Government needs to reconsider its wages policy

The Barnett Government would be hypocritical if it didn’t improve its offer to public servants in light of politicians getting a pay rise this week, says the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association.

Given the news of the Salaries & Allowances Tribunal granting politicians up to 3.8 per cent increases this week, union state secretary Toni Walkington said the government should do the right thing and improve its offer to public servants.

CPSU/CSA members are currently voting on whether or not to accept the government’s wages offer of 2.75% for the next year, followed by 2.5% for each of the two following years with the online ballot to close on July 11. “The reasons the tribunal has determined there should be a pay rise for the politicians are the same reasons we have presented when arguing the case for pay rises for our members,” Ms Walkington said.

“The tribunal considered the same factors that the Barnett Government says should determine wage outcomes and has awarded a wage increase of 3.8% on the base rate.

“The tribunal’s determination highlights the need for the Barnett Government to reconsider the application of its own policy and improve the offer it has made to 40,000 of its employees.”

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