UNIONS will meet today to reshape their approach to saving 500 public sector jobs after being denied an audience with the Premier to discuss his failed legislated wage freeze. Tasmanian unions wrote to Premier Will Hodgman on Friday to request urgent negotiations with him at the weekend. In the letter, unions said they were committed to engaging in constructive discussions to achieve wage-restraint in the face of the government’s budget requirements. Mr Hodgman flatly rejected their offer, again saying the time for negotiations and discussions had passed. ‘‘We’re going to get on with the job of giving Tasmanians what they elected us to do, and that’s creating some certainty around the way forward,’’ he said. Franklin Labor MHA Lara Giddings said the government’s handling of the situation highlighted its political inexperience. ‘‘It’s now time for the government to draw a line and admit they made a mistake and didn’t approach this in the correct way,’’ Ms Giddings said. ‘‘The olive branch has been put out by the union movement ... it is incumbent on the Premier to accept that olive branch and come to the table and talk genuinely with unions.’’ Health and Community Sector Union state secretary Tim Jacobson said unions would continue to push for meetings with the Treasurer and Premier, while exploring other options with their workers. ‘‘We will be available at any time, day or night, to sit down and negotiate,’’ Mr Jacobson said. ‘‘There is no doubt the government has an opportunity here to sit down with its workforce and negotiate an outcome, not take the drastic approach that they have announced.’’ He said public sector workers would not take the job cuts lying down. Ms Giddings and Mr Jacobson said it was contradictory of the government to reaffirm its commitment to boosting investment in front line and essential services, while wielding the axe over front line workers.
UNIONS will meet today to reshape their approach to saving 500 public sector jobs after being denied an audience with the Premier to discuss his failed legislated wage freeze.
Tasmanian unions wrote to Premier Will Hodgman on Friday to request urgent negotiations with him at the weekend.
In the letter, unions said they were committed to engaging in constructive discussions to achieve wage-restraint in the face of the government’s budget requirements.
Mr Hodgman flatly rejected their offer, again saying the time for negotiations and discussions had passed.
‘‘We’re going to get on with the job of giving Tasmanians what they elected us to do, and that’s creating some certainty around the way forward,’’ he said.
Franklin Labor MHA Lara Giddings said the government’s handling of the situation highlighted its political inexperience.
‘‘It’s now time for the government to draw a line and admit they made a mistake and didn’t approach this in the correct way,’’ Ms Giddings said.
‘‘The olive branch has been put out by the union movement ... it is incumbent on the Premier to accept that olive branch and come to the table and talk genuinely with unions.’’
Health and Community Sector Union state secretary Tim Jacobson said unions would continue to push for meetings with the Treasurer and Premier, while exploring other options with their workers.
Health and Community Sector Union state secretary Tim Jacobson
‘‘We will be available at any time, day or night, to sit down and negotiate,’’ Mr Jacobson said.
‘‘There is no doubt the government has an opportunity here to sit down with its workforce and negotiate an outcome, not take the drastic approach that they have announced.’’
He said public sector workers would not take the job cuts lying down.
Ms Giddings and Mr Jacobson said it was contradictory of the government to reaffirm its commitment to boosting investment in front line and essential services, while wielding the axe over front line workers.
