The CPSU says government modelling that claims more than 23,000 public sector jobs would have to go in order to fund a new wages deal is ‘ludicrous’. Government figures reported in the media on the weekend suggest that 23,460 public servants would have to be sacked if the Government agreed to a 4% per year increase in wages over the next three years.
CPSU National Secretary Nadine Flood said: “A cut of 23,460 jobs would equate to around 14% of all public servants. It is just ludicrous to suggest that a 4% pay rise would lead to such large cuts.
“The Government hasn’t shared this modelling with unions, government agencies or workers, choosing instead to give it directly to the media. It is pretty obvious the figures have been cooked up to provide cover for a Government intent on making more wide-scale cuts to jobs and services.” Ms Flood said.
“Once again the Government is saying workers’ wages and conditions are the source of all problems in the economy.”
Over the past four months the CPSU has consulted widely with tens of thousands of union members across the public service. “Our log of claims reflect the fact that public servants are just like everyone else, ordinary working people with families to feed and mortgages to pay,” Ms Flood said.
“We’ve been ready and willing to sit down with Government and begin the serious and sober business of constructive negotiation. Sadly it appears the Government is more interested in bomb-throwing,” she added.
Ms Flood said public sector workers would be dismayed by the actions of this Government, in particular that of Senator Eric Abetz, who is ultimately in charge of the public service. “Senator Abetz has effectively shut the door on mums working in Centrelink, hardworking Border and Customs agents and the thousands of other public servants who’ve been ready to sit around the table and bargain in good faith to hammer out a reasonable deal.”
The CPSU said the community and public servants are judging this Government on its actions, and it has been found wanting. “There has been a constant stream of public service cuts ever since the Abbott Government was elected. From day one this Government has cut almost 4000 jobs with the Commission of Audit expected to cut thousands more. Yet now the community is expected to believe the Government’s key concern is saving jobs. Too cute by half.”
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