As the NSW State Election looms, the Public Service Association of NSW (PSA) has canvased political parties to help public sector staff decide how to cast their votes.
In a statement, PSA said it had written to all major political parties and candidates asking them five key questions on behalf of its members.
“Most of you are employed directly or indirectly by the NSW Government and are consequently impacted at work by their policies,” PSA said.
“The legislative wages cap, the increasing trend of insecure work, the threat of privatisation and the structure of the independent industrial relations umpire are political positions that all impact your job significantly, and whether you have a job at all,” it said.
“So this election isn’t just a choice for our members as to who governs our State, it is a choice of who is your employer.”
PSA said the questions covered the stance on privatisation; views on the abolition of the 2.5 per cent wages cap; restoring neutrality and independence to the Industrial Relations Commission; addressing temporary employment in education; and views of repealing and replacing the Government Sector Employment Act 2013.
It said that over coming weeks, PSA would circulate the responses it received on its Facebook page.
“As vital public sector workers in NSW, it is difficult to imagine a more important issue for you at the ballot box than the security of your job and your income,” the union said.
“When you vote next month, we urge you to consider the party or candidate that would best serve as your boss.”
PSA’s Facebook page can be accessed at this PS News link and the two-page letter sent to parties and candidates at this link.
