The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has reacted negatively to the Government’s decision to ‘pause’ Australian Public Service (APS) pay increases for six months.
National Secretary of the CPSU, Melissa Donnelly said it was an incredibly disappointing decision at a time when APS employees were at the centre of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Ms Donnelly said she had written to Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, calling on the Government to reverse the decision.
“These are unprecedented times and the role Australian Public Service and other Commonwealth employees are playing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is critical,” she wrote.
“At a time when Commonwealth employees are working harder than ever, and in many cases are exposed to risk of infection every day as they serve the public, the Government’s decision is particularly disappointing.”
She said it was the union’s view that the decision did not make economic sense at a time when the Government was pursuing a range of policies to stimulate the economy and keep people spending.
“This is an unnecessary measure and the decision should be reversed by Government,” Ms Donnelly said.
“Our members are working tirelessly to deliver services to the Australian communities, and the policy responses required, to manage this pandemic,” she said.
She said communities around the country were looking to the public sector at this “troubled time” more than ever before.
“Public sector workers are delivering for all of us and the Government is thanking them with a six-month pay freeze.”
She noted that the proposed APS wage increase amounted to just 0.058 per cent of the Federal budget.
“Freezing wages will not help the Budget bottom line, but it will affect tens of thousands of family budgets around the country and the communities in which they spend,” Ms Donnelly said.
