6 days ago
Tasmanian public sector unions threaten broad industrial action in first test for next government
Tasmanian unions are threatening industrial action over stalled public sector workplace agreement negotiations, saying that the election and caretaker period are not excuses for delays.
A range of agreements are coming to an end this year, including those covering allied health professionals, police and firefighters, paramedics and other public sector workers, while others have already concluded, including for park rangers.
The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) is requesting an up-front pay increase of close to 6 per cent, followed by annual wage increases of 5 per cent.
HACSU state secretary Robbie Moore said negotiations had been occurring before the caretaker period, and that they will push ahead with industrial action if there are delays.
"We're going to look at things like affecting the government's revenue," he said.
The Liberal government's budget — which did not pass parliament, and was a precursor to Labor's no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff — foreshadowed changes to public sector efficiency.
The government had already put forward a reduction of 2,500 public servants over the next six years, while the budget aimed to find $150 million in "productivity and efficiency measures".
Treasury was to be allocated $3.3 million to help agencies find savings strategically.
The budget also put forward a wage increase figure well below the amount demanded by unions.
Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) secretary Thirza White said public sector wages were not a reason for the state's financial issues.
"Bargaining takes time … we haven't even got into the detail for many public sector workers," she said.
"We need to have a conversation about revenue raising, we do not have too big a public sector.
"We simply do not raise enough money to deliver the services that Tasmanians want."
Mr Rockliff has promised to establish a multipartisan budget panel.
Labor Leader Dean Winter has promised to hold a budget repair round table next month if he is able to form government, under his choice for treasurer, independent Ruth Forrest.
A spokesperson for the Department of Premier and Cabinet said unions had put forward claims for the majority of the 15 agreements that are being negotiated, and that meetings had started in April.
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) will submit a protected action ballot with the Fair Work Commission due to stalled negotiations with the state-owned electricity company Hydro Tasmania.
Hydro's latest offer was voted down by union members on July 28.
CEPU organiser Adrian Shaw told ABC Radio Hobart that the union will ask its members to approve industrial action in the coming weeks.
"There's a range of actions they can take, some of them being not returning machines to service," he said.
"We're only limiting the capacity in major industry and for capacity to export and import across Basslink.
Mr Rockliff said the extended caretaker period following the recent snap state election was holding up progress on negotiations.
"We need to ensure we are listening and learning what the unions are putting on the table," he said.
"There are also budget considerations, as well."
The caretaker period is set to continue until next week, when uncertainty over the form of the next government is clarified via a no-confidence motion in parliament on Tuesday.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) chair Wayne Davy said the caretaker period should have concluded when the Rockliff government was sworn in earlier this week.
"We have a government and we have a ministry, so it is time to get on with business," he said.
