Perth public sector workers to walk off the job; Alleged Karrinyup knife attacker re-offended hours after bail

WA’s public sector workers from the state’s legal departments will, at lunchtime today, walk out to demand better pay and a four-day working week.

The Community and Public Sector Union/ Civil Service Association has been negotiating on behalf of its 44,000 members – one quarter of the entire WA public sector – which include a range of jobs from child protection and youth custodial officers, to park rangers, veterinary scientists and dental technicians.

Today workers from 140 William Street, David Malcolm Justice Centre, the Courts, the Public Trustee, State Administrative Tribunal, Office of the Public Advocate, WA Police Headquarters and Golden Square will descend on the Supreme Court Gardens to put public pressure on the state government.

The union’s secretary Rikki Hendon said workers across the public sector would continue to turnout and put pressure on the state government.

“After years of suppressed wage growth under restrictive government policies, the public sector is in an attraction and retention crisis,” she said.

“Skilled and experienced workers are walking out the door for better pay and conditions in the private and NGO sectors.”

Hendon said without movement on key claim items, including a 7 per cent and 5 per cent pay rise in the first and second years, a four-day workweek trial, improved superannuation, pay equity and better regional entitlements, public service delivery would continue to face delays, as the government would fail to fill crucial vacancies.