darinsullivan.blogspot.com: Alarming community opposition to NSW workplace laws

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Jun 15, 2011

Paul Doughty

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Survey reveals alarming community opposition to state workplace laws

As workers prepare to rally for public sector workplace rights, a new survey has revealed the alarming level of community opposition to Barry O’Farrell’s unfair attack on the rights of nurses, police, firefighters and other public sector workers.

A Your Source poll, commissioned by Unions NSW has found 78.65% of respondents DO NOT think the State Government has a mandate to remove the rights of nurses, ambulance officers, teachers, fire-fighters and prison officers to have wages and conditions determined by the independent umpire, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

On the question of whether nurses, ambulance officers, fire-fighters, teachers and prison officers are overpaid, 93.82% disagreed.

The survey also asked if respondents agreed with a 2.5 per cent cap on pay rises for these public sector workers, with 59.83% disagreeing.

“This is a horrendous vote of no confidence in Barry O’Farrell’s unfair attack on the rights of NSW public sector workers,” Unions NSW Secretary, Mark Lennon said.

“Since we launched our campaign against Barry O’Farrell’s unfair public sector workplace laws, we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from nurses, teachers, fire-fighters and other public sector workers.

“It’s heartening for the state’s 400,000 public sector workers to know that the public is onside and believes they deserve first rate workplace conditions.

“As Parliament votes on these unfair laws, we’ll be rallying on Macquarie Street to make it clear that no Australian worker should have to sacrifice workplace rights when they go to negotiate a pay rise.

“The Government needs to know that this doesn’t end today. We will continue this campaign in the community and the courts.

“Public sector workers in NSW do vital work every day, getting us to and from work, keeping people healthy and protecting our streets. They deserve the same workplace rights as everyone else in the community.”