The Hodgman government has no good reason to reject the public sector unions’ two-prong savings strategy, which is a constructive attempt to meet budget imperatives while saving jobs, Greens Leader and Treasury spokesperson Kim Booth MP said today.
“It is very reasonable and constructive for the unions to put forward a realistic offer to the government which is consistent with the financial savings needed under the 2014-15 state budget, while offering to continue to negotiate for the forward estimate year,” Mr Booth said.
“It is incumbent, as the employer of the hundreds of hardworking Tasmanian public sector workers, that the Premier instructs his Treasurer, peter Gutwein, to treat this submission respectfully and in good faith.”
“There are 500 very good reasons why this proposal from the unions needs to be accepted by Mr Hodgman and Mr Gutwein. These workers do not deserve to continue to have an axe suspended over their livelihoods.”
“If the Liberals reject even sitting down to negotiate the unions’ submission, then they should just be transparent and honest with the Tasmanian people that no matter what they just want, and intend, to sack 1200 public sector workers.”
“Accept this offer, Mr Gutwein, or stop treating the unions as the stalking horse, and just have the fortitude to admit you intent to gut the public service no matter what,” Mr Booth said.