Blackmail - Real Wage Cut or Job Cuts

'Cash strapped service delivery agencies will be forced to cut services to survive if the decision to cap the centrally funded pay component goes ahead,' Community and Public Sector Union State Secretary Karen Batt said today.

'Agencies will cut jobs or struggle to pay to retain existing staff leaving the new government egg faced when it comes to their no job cuts commitment.'

'Victoria's population has grown 20% in the last ten years and the voters demand quality services.

'That's the lesson from the last election.'

'A lesson quickly forgotten it seems if the wages cap proceeds as cutting jobs will affect services.'

'WorkCover and the Public Records Office are already restructuring to off-load positions affecting the jobs of unfairly targeted employees."

'Treasury will oversee public sector bargaining under the State Government's plan which sidelines sensible and practical industrial resolutions.'

'Having promised to fix services to gain electoral success the Government will quickly be exposed as services start collapsing.'

'I call on the new government to bargain in good faith and adequately fund public services.'

All public sector Agreements covering 200,000 government employees expire over the next 12 months.

- Police May 2011

- Public Service June 2011

- Nurses October 2011

- Health March 2012

- Teachers March 2012