Public workers protest in Albury

26 Jul, 2011 08:13 AM
NURSES, police, firefighters, teachers and clerks marched on member for Albury Greg Aplin’s office yesterday chanting: “We’ve got the worst member in the world!”

Several public service unions combined for a rally at QEII Square that attracted about 200 people, many waving banners or wearing shirts attacking the O’Farrell government’s industrial relations policies.

Mr Aplin was absent on parliamentary business but the unionists left him a letter detailing why they would fight changes they say would severely affect pay and conditions of NSW members.

About 20 firefighters attended in uniform with a fire engine on hand in case of an emergency.

Albury branch Police Association chairman Doug Nyholm, of Mulwala, said the 30 police who attended in blue union tee-shirts were all off-duty and included members from Griffith, Deniliquin and Wagga.

Other unionists took their lunch break or a day off to attend the half-hour protest.

Linda Barclay, of the Public Service Association, said the government was limiting pay rises to 2.5 per cent

unless the employee-based cost-saving could be achieved, a policy that could only lead to job losses.

“I’ve seen a lot in 15 years here but nothing like this,” Ms Barclay said.

Mr Nyholm said the government was bent on “messing up pay rates and conditions”.

Mike O’Donnell, of the Health Services Union, said Premier Barry O’Farrell and Mr Aplin should be ashamed about what they were doing in the public sector.

Michelle Mackintosh, of the Public Service Association, was pleased with the turnout on a cold, wet afternoon.

“The government is trying to smash unions and divide workers,’’ Ms Mackintosh said.

The Fire Brigades Union’s Greg Matthews said he didn’t know of any government that had initiated so much chaos for state employees so soon into its term.

Deb Matthews and John Pratt, of the Teachers Federation, joined in the protest, Mr Pratt leading chants of “shame Barrie, shame” as the unionists marched along Dean Street.

“I don’t know how Barry O’Farrell and Greg Aplin can sleep at night,’’ Ms Matthews said.