Together Union slams LNP backflip over public service wage freeze
The LNP’s backflip on the public service pay freeze has been slammed by the Together Union as a “populist but hypocritical stunt”.
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THE LNP has lined up behind unions to oppose the wage freeze on frontline workers in extraordinary scenes that have been slammed as "disingenuous".
The freeze legislation passed yesterday, meaning public servants will have their pay increases deferred for one year from July 1.
The Opposition performed an 11th hour backflip after having backed it for months yesterday, with Greens MP Michael Berkman saying, “If the LNP wants to align with the Greens on this issue then they’re more than welcome to.”
The Courier-Mail has obtained a letter sent by the Opposition leadership to the Together Union, asking the union to let its members know the LNP opposed the freeze.
But secretary Alex Scott said the union would not be distributing it, claiming it didn't want to "encourage or reward the populist but hypocritical stunt".
"Every election we see more and more Queenslanders voting for the minor parties such as KAP and the Greens," he said.
"Today’s (Wednesday) vote will increase that trend.
"The major political parties need to understand stunts like the letter from the LNP only increase the cynicism and disgust of working Queenslanders for their style of politics where they say one thing before an election and do the exact opposite when they get elected."
Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander yesterday said details had changed since he claimed in early April that he didn't think it was appropriate for public servants to pocket a pay rise during the global pandemic.
"It's more now about what the public servants have been subject to over the last couple of months with the flip flopping all over the place by the Premier," he said yesterday.
"They have been treated with absolute contempt, and they don't deserve that, they don't deserve that uncertainty so we believe that the original pay agreements that were in place should stand."
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the LNP had shown they couldn't be trusted when it comes to job security time and time again.
"Today’s (Wednesday) backflip by the LNP shows how disingenuous and devoid of ideas they really are,” she said.
And while some unions have voiced their concerns, United Workers Union public sector director Sharron Caddie told The Courier-Mail their members recognised these were unprecedented times.
"Throughout this crisis, we have consulted with our senior delegate groups to ensure members are no worse off overall," she said.
"Along with our delegates we believe this is the best possible outcome for our members under these challenging circumstances.”