The Federal Industrial Relations Minister's decision to protect the rights and entitlements of public sector workers under attack from Conservative state administrations is a game changer, Unions NSW said.
Under new arrangements announced by Minister Bill Shorten, the Commonwealth will step in to ensure that when state assets are sold off or services are outsourced, the affected employees will have their rights and entitlements protected by the national industrial relations system.
Unions NSW Secretary, Mark Lennon, said the decision meant State public sector workers would no longer be treated like second class citizens during a privatization or outsourcing.
"Minister Shorten's decision is a game changer. It means that the fate of public sector workers will no longer be determined by the whim of slash and burn Coalition state governments.
"It's refreshing to see that the Federal Government sees public sector workers as an asset, rather than a cost."
Since the O'Farrell Government was elected in March last year, the NSW public sector has been hit by a wage cap, restrictions on the right to collectively bargain, punitive new workers compensation changes and a series of misguided asset sales.
Mr Lennon said Minister Shorten's comments about public sector workers were a morale boost for the 330,000 workers who keep NSW functioning every day.
"Minister Shorten referred to the physical, intellectual and emotional efforts of public sector workers in his comments today - a sharp distinction from the demonisation of public sector workers that we see regularly here in NSW.
"The Minister was correct when he said Australia would not be as compassionate as it is without our dedicated public sector workforce.
"We would love to hear Barry O'Farrell make similar comments."
1 comment:
It is definitely a game changer. Not all of the ministers have the privilege but this law would make every minister equal. It would really be a change of pace as well.
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