NSW Fire Union commits to making NSW Lib's 1 term govt

NSW Lib's betray local public sector workers - a view from Kiama NSW
FROM MEDIA: Page 2 - Kiama Independent - 6/7/11 -  http://www.kiamaindependent.com.au/

The Kiama community may have noticed some unrest lately around Kiama MP, Gareth Ward's office.

There's been a few protests and rallies by firefighters, nurses, teachers, police, and other public sector workers, both at the his office, as well as at Shoalhaven Council where Gareth Ward draws a second government wage. All these people protesting live and work in Kiama and around the Illawarra. They all feel betrayed by Gareth Ward. The reason for our disappointment is that Gareth Ward supported, and voted for, the State Government's wages policy. It's built around the same framework as the previous governments policy, but is much, much worse.

While public sector workers are still capped at 2.5% payrises unless we give up working conditions like annual leave and workers compensation, the real action is around what Mr Ward and his Premier, Barry O'Farrell, have done to the courts. Previously, if public sector workers had a dispute about wages with our employer (the Govt), we could go to the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). The IRC would hear both sides of the story (the Govt and the relevant Union) and then make an independent determination. We weren't always happy with the outcome, but it was independent, it was a court, and it was as fair as we could get. NOT ANY MORE. Gareth Ward and Barry O'Farrell have changed the laws so that the Government can over-ride the courts decision. The separation of powers between our court system and our government have now started to erode, and Gareth Ward voted for it. Barry O'Farrell and Gareth Ward did NOT tell anyone they would do this prior to the election. They have NO mandate for this. This is betrayal.

It gets worse. I've been a firefighter for over 20 years, and I'm the NSW President of the firefighters Union, and I've never seen such an open attack on on public sector workers in NSW. The only avenue my Union, and all the other public sector Unions, have now under Gareth Wards policy, is to sell off jobs to keep wages in line with inflation. This means less firefighters, less nurses, less police officers, and less ambulance officers. That means a more dangerous workplace for these community workers, and it means less community safety for you and your family.

Now, Mr Ward will respond to this letter and the media we are doing, and he will give us a line that it is the responsibility of the government to arrange the budget so that his government can afford roads and funding for the disabled, but what he won't admit is that it is the job of his government to balance their budget WITHOUT compromising community workers wages and safety. It is the responsibility of Barry O'Farrell, and new MP's like Gareth Ward, to make the budget work WITHOUT taking away basic worker rights, like access to independent courts. He has failed. The actions of the NSW Liberal government is nothing short of treachery. They rammed this legislation through the parliament in a matter of days. NO consultation with the workforce, NO consultation with you and I as residents of his electorate.

If Gareth Ward is bloody minded enough to do this to the people who protect you and I while we sleep, imagine what he'll do in Parliament when we're not watching. Like most MP's, he might be good at turning up to charity events, and cutting ribbons, but he's turned his back on emergency service workers and public sector workers, and he's turned his back the community of Kiama.

The protests in front of his office are just the start. We pleaded with him to support us by blocking this legislation, and he refused. It is now the goal of every teacher, firefighter, nurse, police officer and all those who work for the public sector to make Gareth Ward a one term MP. Everytime you see a good news story in this paper with Gareth Ward cutting another ribbon, remember the community workers rights he's cutting every week his government is in power. If you care about your schools, your emergency services, your hospitals, health and community care, reconsider your vote for Gareth Ward.

We suggested to the Lib's and the cross-benchers that we can do this the easy way or the hard way. We note that they have chosen the latter. So be it.

DARIN SULLIVAN
President
NSW FIRE BRIGADE EMPLOYEES' UNION
1-7 Belmore St | Surry Hills | NSW 2010
p. 02 9218 3444 | f. 02 9218 3488
e. dsullivan@fbeu.net | w. fbeu.net

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