HACSU members across Tasmania’s public sector will take strike action on Wednesday 9 November following another meeting between union leaders and government negotiators that failed to result in an acceptable pay and conditions offer for public sector workers.

Health workers, child protection, teachers, firefighters, cleaners, school staff and everyone else working in the public sector have been left with no choice but to take industrial action. The government must take urgent action to address a retention and recruitment crisis that sees hospitals and essential community services suffering from staffing shortages and under-resourcing, leaving thousands of Tasmanians missing out or denied services.

At the same time, HACSU members working in our services are feeling the pressure of the skyrocketing cost of living. They need and deserve a pay rise that helps them deal with these rising costs.

Along with members of the Australian Education Union (AEU), the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), the United Workers Union (UWU), and the United Firefighters Union (UFU), HACSU members will take industrial action on Wednesday 9 November.

All members of other public sector unions that are not yet in formal bargaining and community members will be invited to join large rallies planned in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, and Devonport.

We face a real challenge of securing improvements to working conditions and fair pay raises.

With everyone except for nurses and midwives due for a pay rise on 1 December, the pressure is on the government to deliver wages and conditions that are fair, that recognise the cost of living crisis, and that commit to taking action on the critical issues of attraction, retention, and staffing.

Workers cannot keep waiting for the government to come up with a decent offer. We must take action to make it happen.

Get ready and keep your eye out for more details.