The South Australian Government should reconsider its plan to slash 3700 public sector jobs which will lead to reduced services.
ACTU President Ged Kearney said the announcement in last week’s State Budget of job cuts along with reduced leave entitlements made no sense and would result in poorer public services.
She said the State Government should instead be investing more in the public sector workforce to prepare for looming massive retirements over the next five years.
Last week’s State Budget included a target of 3743 public sector job cuts over four years, including forced redundancies if necessary, along with reductions to holiday leave loadings and long service leave rates.
“These cuts are just not necessary,” Ms Kearney said.
“They make no sense and are simply the wrong policy at this time when the government’s own forecasts show improving income inflows.
“The attack on public sector workers’ entitlements, by cutting their long service leave and annual leave payments, is cruel and just not necessary. It is a slap in the face for the loyal long-serving State workers.
“How can public workers now feel that their hard work for the Public is valued by the Government? This will have a dreadful affect on their morale.”
Ms Kearney appealed to the SA Government to reconsider its decision.
She said the ACTU and its affiliates supported the SA Public Service Association and SA Unions in a community campaign against the cuts.
