If you follow the local news, you would have read about a recent win for our friends at HSUWA and all West Australian public sector workers. If you aren’t familiar with what’s been happening, let us fill you in.
Since the start of the pandemic, WA health professionals have been demanding an increase in wages, more PPE and a general improvement to work conditions for front-line workers. Over the past couple of months, The Health Services Union of WA (HSUWA) has conducted numerous strikes and rallies campaigning for an increase to the public sector wage cap from 2.75% pa to 4% pa (or the current Consumer Price Index which was 7.6% in Perth for the March quarter) to offset current inflation increases and the rising cost of living.
On Sunday the 31 st of July, Premier Mark McGowan announced all public sector workers would receive a 3% pay rise per year over two years and a one-off $2500 payment. While this falls short of the amount unions have been campaigning for, it is a small victory for WA health workers.
Congratulations to everyone involved!
We thoroughly enjoyed working with HSUWA to develop the Protect us. Respect us. Pay us. campaign branding and think that it’s fantastic that people are listening to their message and acknowledging the need for change.
HSUWA members are now considering whether they will accept this offer, or
campaign further in mid-August to achieve the result they are wanting. We’ll keep you up to date with the progress!
