Shadow New South Wales health minister Matt Kean said Premier Chris Minns had"comprehensively failed" to deliver an agreement over public sector wages, as he warned the state could now face widespread industrial action.
"The HSU has made clear that without the Government delivering a wage deal today, our health system will be subjected to industrial action, including strikes, from next Monday onwards." He named Acting Premier Prue Car, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis, Minister for Health Ryan Park, and Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos as those with the ability to resolve the dispute, but added he had seen little evidence any were prepared to take on the task.
Last month, the NSW Treasurer announced the government was offering a 4.5 per cent increase for public sector workers, but unions remained unimpressed as they pushed for a bump of more than six per cent. "NSW Health has an attraction and retention crisis that is draining our hospitals of the essential workers they need.
Last month, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey announced the government was offering a 4.5 per cent increase for public sector workers, but unions remained unimpressed as they pushed for a bump of more than six per cent. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Nikki Short