After several years of acquiescent trade union leadership; many public sector workers in NSW are taking industrial action against longstanding government wage austerity regimes.
The NSW state LNP government in 2012 legislated a salary cap of 2.5% p.a. and then in 2021, 1.5% for wage and salary increases for its various employees. The trade union movement is a neutered power compared to the decades of struggle in the 40’s,50,s, 60’s and 70’s. When questioned about confronting the salary cap many trade union officials shrugged their shoulders and gasped words of “unlawful” and “huge fines for undertaking strike action .”
Watching decades of skyrocketing record profits and corporate welfare, many workers have woken up from their parlous state and found their feet. Workers sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic went unrewarded as millionaires became billionaires and some super-exploiter billionaires became trillionaires. Many companies used the cover of COVID-19 to sack swathes of employees and use labour-hire contractors. Although the ruling class and its media sang “We’re all in this together” the chorus for many workers was- Look out for yourself!
Nurses, paramedics and public-school teachers were early to bolt into action. As struggle emboldens and promotes struggle, members of the Public Service Association went out and rail workers struck out again against low wage offers and safety concerns of guard-less trains. They are to be joined by other sections of the public sector work force in the transport and construction areas.
Despite media management and a barrage from government spokesmen, public support is strong and broad for workers. The NSW ALP opposition offered mild applause for action but wouldn’t support nurses claims for nurse-to-patient ratios nor the 7.5% claim of teachers. This is line with the Princeton trained opposition leader Chris Minns’ plans for budget austerity posture at the lead up to the 2023 state election. Minns is no great friend of the trade union movement. In his inaugural speech in the Legislative Assembly, he called for a reduction in union influence in the Labor Party, “and increasing representation of ordinary members of our party who have more diverse voices”. So much for the party of labour.
What are the lessons of this upsurge? Action and bold struggle promote solidarity and consciousness. Discussion and debate about the issues deepens awareness. We should not be complacent and content with the crumbs offered by governments or those sought by mild mannered trade union officials and ALP politicians.
Dare to struggle, dare to win!
