The Australian Paramedics Association has slammed the NSW Government for again cutting the wages of Paramedics. The move ensures public sector wage growth will fall well below the Consumer Price Index.
“What this Premier is doing is cutting the real wages of the workers who have worked tirelessly on the frontline of fires, floods and now the COVID-19 pandemic. The Premier is using this health and economic crisis as an excuse to erode the working conditions of 330,000 public sector workers.” Said APA (NSW) President Mr Kastelan.
“At a time when local businesses across NSW are suffering, taking more money out of local communities is senseless. Economic studies show that cutting public sector wages leads to job losses due to reduction in consumer demand. It is a totally irrational decision that doesn’t stand up to serious economic scrutiny.” Said Mr Kastelan
This change when considered with the current wage freeze will cost an average Paramedic more than $27,000 over five years.
“Every year Paramedics and our frontline colleagues are asked to do more with less. The reward we receive for our efforts is empty words.” Said Mr Kastelan. “The politicians in Macquarie Street are absolute hypocrites when it comes to Paramedics. While they call us the heroes of the pandemic, they cut our wages.”
Earlier this year, the NSW Parliament voted to block the Government’s public sector wage freeze. APA (NSW) will again be working with the Opposition and the crossbench to oppose this wage cut.
