Today’s wage policy and bonus is a welcome improvement for health workers but won’t stop them continuing to campaign for an end to the wages cap, the Health Services Union said.
The Premier has announced the public sector wages cap will be lifted to 3 per cent while NSW Health workers will receive a one off cash bonus of $3,000.
NSW HSU Secretary, Gerard Hayes said the policy would be welcomed by a heavily fatigued workforce.
“For the last three years health and hospital workers have been hit by the ugly combination of the pandemic and short staffing,” Mr Hayes said. “Cleaners, paramedics, wardspeople, security and therapists have worked themselves to the bone to keep NSW safe.
“This payment recognises the reality of what our members have gone through. For people on modest incomes, like cleaners and security, it is a massive boost that makes up for the pay freeze of 2020. It will allow many to put in place a financial buffer against the rising cost of living.
“Coming on top of the expansion in the number of health workers announced yesterday and today, we are pleased the NSW Premier is listening to our concerns and taking action. Every health worker who has bravely advocated for change in the media, to their local member and in the community deserves to be congratulated.
“The HSU will continue to push for the public sector wage cap to be abolished, however. The NSW wages policy prevents meaningful wage bargaining. We need a system that allows workers to bargain for wages based on the cost of living and productivity, not a system based on the whim of politicians. While we are gratified that the Premier is listening to our concerns we nonetheless want the cap to be scrapped.”
