Shadow Minister for Health Matt Kean has declared the Government’s latest union pay ‘deal’ nothing more than a band-aid solution that will lead to more budget blowouts and industrial action, calling on Chris Minns to come clean on the true cost of their public sector pay rises.
“Labor are running around patting themselves on the back while nurses and midwives warn that this is merely a ‘ceasefire’ in their fight for a pay rise that exceeds the rate of inflation,” Mr Kean said.
“Nurses and midwives have every right to feel dudded by Chris Minns, who before the election promised huge pay increases, and now has walked away from keeping this promise. The fact that only 58% of members voted for this ‘deal’ shows there are still major problems before the Minns Labor Government.”
It was reported today that NSW Nurses and Midwives Association is set to continue campaigning for a pay rise that is “at least more than inflation”.
“The chickens are coming home to roost for Chris Minns, who’s quickly realising that he has to keep his word and come true on his election commitments. We don’t know how much a pay rise in excess of inflation would cost, and Chris Minns is refusing to be upfront and honest about the impact on the Budget, or how he’ll pay for these pay rises,” Mr Kean said.
“Before the election Chris Minns said any pay increases would be paid for by productivity gains, now we know that this was a lie and that the cost to the Budget is in excess of $3 billion and rising.”
“That’s why Chris Minns and his ministers are looking to cut essential cost of living support, limit energy relief and delay or cancel vital infrastructure projects across NSW.”
Health Services Union paramedics have also walked away from negotiations over Government’s pay offer, last week announcing that members would refuse to be on standby at some major sporting events.
“This is a health crisis of Chris Minns’ own making, he should spend less time trying to spin his way out of this mess on social media, sit down with paramedics, nurses and midwives and be true to his word,” Mr Kean concluded.