With pay cuts on the cards for public sector workers such as nurses and firefighters, a new petition launched today could help turn the government’s decision around.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, Shadow Minister for the North Coast Adam Searle and union representatives today launched the paper-based petition and are calling on the wider community to get behind it.

“We need 10,000 signatures on the petition to trigger a debate in Parliament,” Ms Saffin said.  

“To trigger a debate in the house, the petition needs to on paper, and anyone can come to my office and sign one, or we can email or drop them off to you.

"Our local nurses and midwives, teachers, police, paramedics, cleaners, drivers and many other public sector workers have risked their lives to look after others during the COVID-19 pandemic and have been rewarded with a pay cut.

“Our heroes deserve a medal, not a callous and mean pay cut."

Janelle Saffin MP and Adam Searle MLC launch a petition against a public sector pay cut.

Mr Searle, who is also Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, said there were 4363 public sector worker across the Lismore Electorate.

“They are 992 teachers, 1650 health workers and 157 police officers who will have their pay cut, and many other public service employees who will miss out,” he said.

Mr Searle said the decision to cut wage increases in public sector workers pay had already been debated in the upper house and had been defeated – but that the fight was not over. 

“Now the matter is with the Industrial Relations commission and need to act quick,” he said. “We need an ongoing campaign before they make their decision in the next few weeks.

Mr Searle said reasonable wage increases are a vital stimulus measure for local economies. "Now is the time to put dollars in pockets, not take them away," he said.

"Struggling local small businesses will also suffer if people have less money in their pockets to spend."

Mr Searle's petition brings to Parliament House's attention the NSW Government's plans to cut the pay of more than 400,000 public sector workers across New South Wales.

Petitioners are asking the Legislative Assembly to urgently pass legislation blocking this proposed pay cut and to commit to protecting the pay and conditions of all workers across New South Wales.

To contact Janelle Saffin, visit https://janellesaffin.com.au/