The New South Wales Premier, Barry O'Farrell,  has stated that local government workers in the state will not be affected the new public sector wage policy.

 

The Premier's assurances follow concerns raised by the United Services Union, which represents 50,000 of the state’s local government workers,  that the new IR reforms could result in serious damage to council workers' wages and conditions.

 

"The wages policy we're seeking to follow is the wages policy that has been pursued for the past four years - it doesn't apply to local government employees," Mr O’Farrell said.

 

The O'Farrell government's IR reforms, which were introduced into the upper house following the tabling of a petition with 15000 signatures opposing the bill, will see the right to set wages and conditions for all government employees given to the state, circumventing the Industrial Relations Committee which has traditionally handled wage and conditions disputes. 

 

The state Shooters and Fishers Party and Christian Democrats are currently involved in discussions on whether to support the bill or make possible amendments to the laws. Greens MP David Shoebridge has stated that the Greens will move amendments to ameliorate the legislation but he believes that a deal has been struck between the government and conservative independents that could see the legislation passed today.