SA’s public servants set to take industrial action after government’s first ‘insulting’ salary increase proposal

South Australia’s PSA Union, representing 40,000 workers, will be commencing industrial action next week after an ‘insulting’ salary increase proposal was rejected.

Public sector workers will launch industrial action next week after accusing the government of putting forward an “insulting” first offer, which wouldn’t be enough “to keep (them) from becoming homeless”.

PSA general secretary Natasha Brown said their union – which represents 40,000 workers – had initiated new enterprise agreement negotiations with the state government following the nominal expiry of their previous deal on December 9.

But negotiations had a tumultuous start after the government put forward a proposition offering salary increases of up to three per cent per annum starting from August 2025.

Ms Brown said the government’s first offer was “a waste of time”.

General secretary of the SA’s Public Service Association Natasha Brown. Picture Supplied.

Following this, Ms Brown revealed to The Advertiser the union’s intention to commence industrial action and put pressure on the government.

“Our members are absolutely looking to put pressure on the government and to commence industrial action – I can’t give you the details at this stage to not compromise our position – but we’ll be commencing industrial action within the next week and that will be escalating until the government’s ready to seriously negotiate with us,” she said.

Ms Brown argued public sector wages have fallen between eight to 10 per cent since before the pandemic, due to harsh wage restraint by the state government and inflation, which has left workers “struggling to make ends meet”.

“Our members are telling us that they’re struggling to pay their rent or mortgage,” she said.

“Some are having to choose between these payments and covering other bills, and others are exhausted and overwhelmed by the extra overtime they’ve had to work to cover basic expenses.

“It’s a slap in the face to our members and they’re really feeling undervalued.”

Meanwhile, a leaked letter to The Advertiser reveals the depth of frustration felt by the union members over the first proposed pay raise.

With one PSA member saying “the initial offer by government falls well short of what Public Servants need to keep from becoming homeless” while another reminded politicians that “words don’t buy groceries, money does”.

Another member said: “Workloads in many areas are out of control, getting new staff is a lengthy process and people often leave after less than 12 months.

“We are constantly expected to be doing more and more while getting nothing in return.”

The union said they are unable to put “an exact percentage” on the pay rise they are hoping to achieve, instead they are looking for a “wage raise deal” that encompasses an increase in salary and better working conditions.

But ultimately, it will be up to the PSA members to accept the next enterprise agreement.

PSA members include workers from a range of crucial departments needed to keep order.

These include, Allied Health professionals, Attorney-General’s legal officers and other law employees, correction workers, grant-funded scientists and researchers.

Meanwhile, a government spokesperson said they intended to continue negotiations in good faith although the union hasn’t revealed their ideal wage increase.

“The Public Service Association has not provided a formal log of claims or nominated a specific wage increase it is seeking in negotiations,” they said.

“The Government will continue to negotiate in good faith with employee bargaining representatives to reach agreement.”