The impact of the bans means at least 1000 patients will be forced to spend an extra night in hospital,a move the Health Services Union acknowledges will add strain to the already stretched public health system.
NSW Labor campaigned heavily on removing the wages cap,which was introduced in 2011 after the former Coalition government was swept to power,and maintained removing the 3 per cent ceiling on public sector salaries would be its key priority if elected.
However,Health Services Union boss and Labor Party heavyweight Gerard Hayes accused the state government of failing to engage in meaningful wage negotiations,while Fire Brigade Employees Union head Leighton Drury said NSW was haemorrhaging essential workers to other states because of its outdated wages policy.
Hayes said the new government was “two-thirds of the way into its first 100 days” but there had been “no movement in relation to the salary cap”.
Hayes criticised the Minns government for prioritising legislation “to prevent the privatisation of a facility that is not going to be privatised”,a reference to a change to the NSW Constitution which will ensure Sydney Water cannot be sold off.
“The NSW government had the option to remove the wages cap by changing the ministerial regulation the day after the election. It chose not to and every day since we have wondered when we will see action,” Hayes said.