Premier uses media to cancel meeting

Posted on
July 25, 2019
in
Public Sector

Today we were to meet with the government to talk about the 1-year wages offer it put on the table just last week, but last night the Premier cancelled that meeting and announced that our wages matter is being referred to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission.

Today we were to meet with the government to talk about the 1-year wages offer it put on the table just a week ago, but last night the Premier cancelled that meeting and announced that our wages matter is being referred to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission - this was done via the media, he didn't even bother letting us know first with a quick call or email, something that’s become business as usual for Will Hodgman and Peter Gutwein.

After we'd found out through the media we finally did get a letter, and it seems the one public sector agreement they’re not referring to the TIC, the independent umpire, to resolve the dispute is the nurses agreement.

The letter included some draft terms of reference around how we might deal with the dispute at the TIC, and we’re looking over it and will give feedback to the government as soon as possible and will update HACSU members on where to next, including details of the TIC process, once discussions about the referral have finalised.

We're disappointed the government hasn’t been able to reach agreement with us, something that's rarely happened and shows how poorly the government has acted throughout this whole process, but we'll keep cool heads and take the best course of action to make sure public sector workers get the fair pay rise they deserve.

Sadly, the government's referral will only deal with wages, not conditions, and we know that in most agreements members wanted to resolve issues and include conditions that'll make a better workplace for both workers and the employer but we’re now forced to continue to campaign on those matters and will need to talk with members and delegates about that in coming weeks.

For more information about this or any other industrial matter, members should contact HACSUassist on 1300 880 032 or email assist@hacsu.org.au or complete our online contact form

Public Sector