PREMIER WILL HODGMAN SAID YESTERDAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS SOUGHT ADVICE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL ABOUT CHALK WRITING ON GOVERNMENT VEHICLES.
The Hodgman Government continues to fight staff at Ambulance Tasmania over a wages deal that the government has walked away from. In February this year HACSU and the government made a deal for a new workplace agreement that included a 3% wage increase for 2014 and 2015 and a further 2% in 2016. A total of 5% over three years. In June, the State Government formally withdrew from the deal.
The Government claims that 5% over three years falls outside their 2% per annum wages policy.
HACSU State Secretary, Tim Jacobson said, “How can workers have faith in this government? I have been involved in negotiating workplace agreements for more than twenty years and this is the first time an employer has completely backed out of a deal reached in good faith.”
“The Government wants us to stop our industrial action, which consist of extremely low level bans. However, Michael Ferguson is not prepared to offer anything close to the agreed outcome in order for that to happen”, said Mr Jacobson, “What the Premier said yesterday is a veiled threat to our Members, an attempted intimidation tactic that frankly just won’t work.”
“Our Members are suggesting that bans be escalated. They are angry. They can’t believe the lies and spin coming from the Executive Building in Hobart. They are resolute about more serious bans because they are fed up with this government and the lies they tell.”
HACSU is calling on the Premier to talk to the Union in order to resolve this matter, rather than seeking advice from the Solicitor General about how to ostracise staff further. Minister Ferguson has failed to resolve the dispute, it is now up to the Premier to step up and take control.
HACSU State Secretary, Tim Jacobson
