Qld: Union fires up for industrial action before election

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2000
Qld: Union fires up for industrial action before election

Queensland Premier PETER BEATTIE's government may face industrial action as it prepares
for next year's state election, with public servants seeking wage rises to equal the state's
teachers.

Queensland Public Sector Union secretary GORDON RENNIE says the government has a moral
obligation to give public servants a pay increase similar to the 14.7 per cent handed
to teachers last Friday.

Public servants have been awarded a 10 per cent rise over three years, which Mr RENNIE
admits is a good agreement.

But a meeting of the union executive last night voted to seek a catch-up rise of around
four cent to bring other public servants into line with teachers.

Mr RENNIE says the executive will meet again on February 19 to discuss the union's next moves.

Mr RENNIE says he's seeking urgent talks with Mr BEATTIE about the pay catch-up while
preparing for an industrial campaign.





The Queensland government faces an election by the middle of next year and is in turmoil
following revelations at the Shepherdson Inquiry of electoral rorting by senior party
officials and MPs.

AAP RTV rad/jhm/jn

KEYWORD: TEACHERS QLD (BRISBANE)

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