Ryall’s pay freeze is thawing out

Tony Ryall has to give wider state sector workers a fair go and remove his pay freeze in light of the 2% pay increase agreed for non-sworn police staff, Labour’s State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson said today.

"National has tried to put in place a pay freeze for the state sector. This means support staff in schools and people who keep hospitals going have been told there is no money for them,” Grant Robertson said.

“The settlement with police will now put the pressure on the Government to give a fair settlement to all public servants.

“State sector workers are well aware that we have been living through tight financial times. But National's pay freeze means they have not even been able to put forward modest offers even where there are significant inequities.

“School support staff work with special needs children run literacy programmes and keep schools ticking over. Many are paid just above the minimum wage. They and others like them deserve the chance to have their claims heard in a fair manner.

“Tony Ryall needs to front up and acknowledge that the police settlement changes the picture in the state sector. If he does not do so he runs the risk of widespread industrial action and disruption to the lives of New Zealanders who rely on public services." Grant Robertson said

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