darinsullivan.blogspot.com: NSW Public Sector Campaign @fbeu :Christian Democrat/Shoalhaven Mayor agnostic on defending NSW public service

Christian Democrat Shoalhaven Mayor agnostic on defending public service

Local firefighters, police and teacher's representatives met with Shoalhaven Mayor, Paul Green on Monday, to raise concerns with Council that the NSW Government's policies under Barry O'Farrell could lead to a reduction in the number of nurses, teachers, police and firefighters in the region. Paul Green is also a NSW Parliament Crossbencher with Fred Nile for the Christian democrats.

The delegation tried to raise the same concerns at the June meeting of Shoalhaven Council, but a complaint from Shoalhaven Councillor Gareth Ward to stop them from speaking at the meeting was supported by Mayor Green. Gareth Ward is also a Liberal MP.

The meeting on Monday with Mayor Green allowed the contingent to explain that taking away their right to have matters heard in court is gross attack on their rights, rights that Paul Green was afforded when he worked as nurse in the public system. Unions representing firefighters, nurses, teachers and police believe that pressures being applied by the NSW Government will have a negative effect on local councils. The Unions say Gareth Ward, and the Liberal Government's new laws, will create a reduction in fire and police coverage, and school class sizes may increase. They also warn many thousands of public sector workers in the Shoalhaven and Illawarra, who's wages are now unfairly restricted, means that many may move out of the area. At the very least, less money in wages, means less to spend in the region for business.

Local Government councils are trying to distance themselves from the decisions of the State Government, but public sector workers say that the workers who live in these council areas are at risk, as are the community as a whole. With many councils now run by the very people who put these laws into place, it's no wander they don't wish to discuss it at council meetings.

Public sector workers continue to meet with councils and politicians right across NSW. Shoalhaven council. like every council in NSW, needs to recognise that the safety and security of their citizens is their responsibility, and the O'Farrell laws are their concern too.

The NSW Public Sector Campaign against Barry O'Farrell's laws continue..........

DARIN SULLIVAN
President
FIRE BRIGADE EMPLOYEES' UNION
1-7 Belmore St | Surry Hills | NSW 2010
p. 02 9218 3444 | f. 02 9218 3488 | m. 0422436044