Shadow Minister for Health Matt Kean has called on Premier Chris Minns to urgently resolve the stand-off between the Government and the Health Services Union.
“It is now abundantly clear that health workers across our state were lied to by the Labor Government before the election, a promise of wage increases that the Government can’t deliver,” Mr Kean said.
“Labor can’t deliver on their promise to the HSU and health workers because they have no way to pay for wage increases. Despite telling the people of NSW that any wage increase would be offset by productivity gains, it’s now evident that it will cost the Budget at least $2.5 million over the next four years, if not more.”
“Already we’ve seen families pay the price for Labor’s unfunded election promises, with essential cost of living programs slashed and cut, while households struggle with record inflation and higher interest rates – families simply can’t afford to pay more, Labor need to come clean on how they’ll pay for a wage increase.”
The Labor Government has offered a four per cent pay rise to all public sector workers but the HSU is seeking 6.5 per cent inclusive of 0.5 per cent super.
“With the HSU warning of escalating industrial action from Monday, including stop work orders and strikes, it is quite frankly remarkable that Premier Minns is on leave and either unavailable or unwilling to sit down with union bosses to reach a resolution.”
“Before the election Minns said he would sit down at the table, but he is missing in action, and it is the people of NSW who are paying the price, with industrial action potentially impacting access to health services from next week.”
“Minns needs to return to work, sit down at the table, and solve this deadlock to ensure any industrial action is avoided,” Mr Kean concluded.
