Thousands of WA public sector workers descended on state parliament this week to demand better pay and conditions. 

WA health workers, police, teachers and other public sector staff say they are not respected or paid enough, and have undertaken weeks of escalating industrial action culminating at the doorstep of Parliament House in Perth this week. 

Much of the outrage is aimed at WA's public sector wages policy - which offered a 2.5 per cent pay rise per year, with the choice of a $1,000 sign on bonus or an extra 0.25 per cent annually for two years.

Industrial action pushed the McGowan Government to offer a 3 per cent annual rise for two years, plus a $2,500 one-off payment. But the union members at Parliament this week called for a 5 per cent annual pay rise.

Unions WA Secretary Owen Whittle told the crowd that they deserve more.

“We can't pay the bills with thanks or a pat on the back, we deserve a real pay rise,” he said.

“We are living in the most wealthy state in the country… we are seeing budget surplus after budget surplus from the state government.

“There is money for everything, except for the workers who keep our state running and our community safe.”

WA's Industrial Relations Minister, Bill Johnston, was heckled as he took the podium to speak on behalf of the state government.

“We are listening, we are listening to you and your unions, we understand that our offer is not what you want, but it's what we believe we can afford,” Mr Johnston said.

Amid howls and boos, Mr Johnston continued his speech.

“In the end, all the industrial disputes finish, and I want to make it clear that regardless of what happens during the dispute, the McGowan Labor Government recognises and respects the work that you do,” he said.