Media Release

1 October 2020

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NSW Labor is incredibly disappointed with the Industrial Relations Commission decision to only award a 0.3% pay increase to public sector employees.

NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said this is a huge blow to some 400,000 workers in the sector who have supported the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a huge blow to the economy, public sector workers including nurses, police officers, teachers, cleaners and corrective service officers who have kept us healthy and safe during the pandemic,” Ms McKay said.

“We maintain that the economic benefit to the whole state of a 2.5% increase is essential, it’s even the view of Treasury that this wage cut will deepen the recession.”

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Adam Searle added that the Commission has relied on the Government’s claim to have set up a new infrastructure fund but it was yet to provide modelling on this.

“Let’s not forget this Government granted the Police Commissioner and department heads up to 15% pay increases this year, yet the cleaner in a COVID environment will get 0.3%. The Premier is responsible for this decision that is hitting workers and the economy and she should be ashamed.” — Adam Searle MLC, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations

The pay cut was first announced by the Government in June. Unions NSW said it would consider all options in light of the IRC’s decision.