Thousands of Tasmanian public sector workers are set for a pay rise after a long-running stoush with the state government, but ambulance crews have voted down their offer and remain in dispute.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the deal on Friday, bringing months of rolling strikes to an end after unions pushed back on earlier offers.
Workers will get 3% in the first year, 3% in the second and 2.75% in the third, plus some “structural adjustments where applicable”.
The deal covers six agreements, including allied health workers, dental officers, radiation therapists, Port Arthur staff and employees under major public sector union and AWU agreements.
That includes pharmacists, psychologists, occupational therapists, fire crews, engineers, hospital orderlies, teacher assistants, rangers, IT staff and Service Tasmania employees.
“We are pleased to deliver a fair and affordable pay rise, as well as updated conditions, for workers covered by the accepted agreements,” Rockliff said.
The outcome follows a sustained campaign by the CPSU, HACSU and the Australian Education Union.
Thousands of workers walked off the job in late March, forcing school closures across Tasmania and rallying in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.
Unions argued the government’s earlier offer was well below inflation and failed to address a pay gap of almost 7% with mainland public servants.
Workers also pointed to chronic understaffing, rising workloads and burnout in schools and hospitals.
State Growth engineers are expected to vote on their agreement shortly.
Teachers will have their say on Saturday, when the AEU puts the latest offer to members.
Ambulance Tasmania workers have rejected their offer, leaving paramedics without a deal.
“While we are disappointed the Ambulance Tasmania industrial agreement was rejected, we will continue our good faith negotiations,” Rockliff said.
The accepted deals will now be lodged with the Tasmanian Industrial Commission, with pay rises and back pay to flow once they are signed off.
