Public sector health and community service workers will hold a snap rally outside the Executive Building today (Thursday 28 August) after the state government abruptly cancelled all bargaining meetings scheduled for this week.
The cancellation of negotiations comes as workers across the public sector report record levels of burnout. Chronic understaffing, increasing workloads, and years of shrinking resources have created a perfect storm, with employees being pushed to do more with less every day.
“Workers are not asking for the world, they are asking for respect, recognition for the critical work they do, safe working conditions, and fair pay,” HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore said.
“Instead of sitting down with bargaining teams to address the urgent issues faced by workers every day, the government has chosen to walk away from negotiations.
“Solutions to the issues have been put on the table by workers repeatedly, yet the government continues to treat the public service and the community with contempt,” he added.
Adding to workers’ frustration, most public sector agreements expired at the end of June. Mr Moore says for almost two months state service employees have been waiting on overdue pay rises to keep up with cost of living pressures all while striving to maintain vital services for the Tasmanian community.
“While Jeremy Rockliff hides from responsibility, our members are working double shifts, skipping breaks, and struggling to pay their bills. This is wage suppression by neglect.
“We want to send a clear message to the government that enough is enough. Public sector workers will stand up for themselves, their patients, and the Tasmanian community. We will take this fight to every corner of the state until workers get the respect and the wages they deserve.”