Union NT label pay freeze bonus ‘very poor and unprofessional’

The government has revealed how many frontline workers have left the public service, as unions protest a controversial pay freeze.

HEALTH and Education have been hit hardest by workers leaving over the vaccine mandate, as unions urge the government to abandon its controversial pay freeze.

The NT News can reveal 364 public servants were let go by the government over the mandate, including 49 medical workers and 45 teachers.

The Health Department lost 137 workers, followed by 88 employees at Education.

Only five police officers left the force.

The departures have freed up much needed cash, with Chief Minister Michael Gunner on Monday pledging the funds towards a bigger annual bonus to public servants.

Government workers would receive a $4000 bonus in the first year of a new EBA, in exchange for a four-year pay freeze, followed by $2000 instalments thereafter.

Erina Early, Unions NT secretary. Picture: Justin Kennedy

But Unions NT secretary Erina Early has urged the government to dump the use of bonuses, labelling them “very poor and unprofessional industrial relations practice”.

“We haven’t received an update from the Commissioner for Public Employment,” Ms Early said.

“We do have concerns as the offer is a cash grab.

“It is still a wage freeze regardless of what bonuses they table.”

Ms Early also said she was expecting impacts on the public sector as a result of 364 workers leaving due to the vaccine mandate.

“All the NTPS Unions are unsure how our members are going to continue to provide services expected of Territorians with lesser resources and staff,” she said.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said not freezing wages would result in cuts to the public service. Picture: Julianne Osborne

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said she supported a $1000 raise to public sector wages but suggested it be a salaried increase instead of a lump-sum bonus.

Ms Finocchiaro said the raise, as suggested by the Langoulant Report, would be “complete with superannuation and leave entitlements”.

“Darwin’s inflation rate is the highest in the nation, which means Territorians are paying more than anywhere else in the country for basics like groceries and rent,” she said.

Mr Gunner said the new $4000 bonus, in the first year, would help keep workers in the Territory. He argued the CLP’s plan would “destroy the budget” and lead to job losses.

“The CLP need be up front with the public service about who they plan to sack.”

Mr Gunner said the $4000 lump sum recognised the public sector’s hard work.

The government’s offer includes an extra three days of annual leave entitlements.