Teachers prepared to wear pay freeze to help save public service jobs
Teachers in Tasmania's south have endorsed a pay freeze for the rest of the financial year if it reduces public sector job cuts.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein has invited unions to devise their own pay freeze proposal to minimise cuts.
The Government has flagged a further 500 jobs will be shed after its bid for a freeze stalled in the state's Upper House.
Union members indicated they are prepared to accept a pay freeze until the end of June next year.
Mr Gutwein estimated the union's seven-month proposal would only save $15 million.
He said it needed to be in place for 18 months to meet budget savings targets of $50 million.
"We look forward to seeing the union's proposal," he said.
"But it's important to reiterate that if what the unions offer does not deliver the full $50 million of savings, then additional savings will need to be made."
Unions are canvassing all public servants before they put a formal proposal to the Government in efforts to minimise jobs cuts.
Mass meetings will be held in Hobart and Launceston today.
The Australian Education Union's Terry Polglase said the voluntary pay freeze was a selfless gesture and there was room for negotiation about the longer proposal.
"Now if he (the Treasurer) wants more than that, we can start negotiating from that position, but at least we have the authority from our members to prevent the (shedding) of the 500 teachers, or staff in the first term, and then we can meet with him or have his negotiators meet with us in the next eight months," he said.
"You know the 170 or 180 teachers and support staff who were there think really of one thing - the Tasmanian people's jobs."
Union members also endorsed industrial action if the Government cuts more public sector jobs in the absence of a pay freeze.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green accused the Treasurer of confusing the situation.
"Well I tell you what, if I was a worker in the public service I certainly wouldn't trust him," he said.
State cabinet is due to make a decision on job cuts within two weeks.
