The cap on public sector wage growth in Western Australia will end, and casual workers forced into isolation from COVID-19 will receive a one-off payment of $320, Mark McGowan reveals in his mid-year review.
"For the next two years, public sector employees will be provided with a 2.5 per cent pay rise per annum," Mr McGowan said.
Mr McGowan said workers could choose between a sign-on bonus of $1,000 or an additional 0.25 per cent per annum for a negotiated productivity improvement.Mr McGowan said the cap has been done away with following the completion of a review into public sector wages. "It's a fair and reasonable measure to ensure that we properly reward the workforce without breaking the budget," he said."It's expected to cost $1.2 billion over the next four years."Unions WA secretary Owen Whittle said the axing of the $1,000 cap was welcomed and had come earlier than expected.Mr Whittle said public sector workers' pay had gone backwards for the last four years.
"Unions need to see the details of this new framework and for those in bargaining or with workplace agreements expiring, the devil is in the detail," he said. "For many running our essential public services, their pay has gone backwards since 2017 and this new policy will only go part way to making up for those losses.Mr McGowan said the iron ore price drop that had eroded the surplus was offset by gains in collections made from stamp duty and payroll tax.More to come.