This week we get militant. Last Thursday an estimated between 30,000 and 40,000 NSW public servants rallied and marched against changes to our employment conditions and job security. Media attention has focussed on dissatisfaction with a pay increase of 2.5%, well below the rate of inflation (running at 3.6% at the end of June) but that's the least of it. At least we got 2.5% and sooner or later they may even pay it.
What's more important is the removal of the independence of the Industrial Relations Commission and the changes to managing excess staff which brings in forced redundancy. Even though its supposedly voluntary, if you refuse the initial offer you have only three months to be redeployed (there is very little chance of finding another job in three months in the current climate) and at the end of that time you are out with a greatly reduced redundancy package, thus forcing you to accept when the first offer is made. This is the first time I've ever taken part in this type of action but, this time, I really feel my job is danger and, at the age of 54, its not easy to get another one. Unfortunately, I don't think its going to make any difference.
7 comments:
That sounds serious. I wish you success in the protest.
Good luck. Seems every work place is under pressure. We keep seeing jobs around us being sent offshore.
... and what a great tee shirt!
Make one bureaucrat redundant; save three rank and file positions.
That's a fairly huge turnout for a rally Ann, surely some attention will have to be given to that!
owww, different workplaces seem doing the same thing. Hope everything will be fine.
Difficult times Ann. Hope that the rally has had some positive impact.
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