MP pay rise angers unions

Unions say this week's above-inflation pay rise for politicians has altered the industrial climate and they will not accept the State Government's offer of inflation-only increases for their members.

The threat of industrial action by the health services and public sector unions came as the Government and the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal denied delaying Thursday's announcement to limit scrutiny.

After striking generous pay deals during the 2013 election year of 14 per cent for nurses and 12.75 per cent for prison officers over three years, the Government has since introduced an inflation-only wages policy.

The policy - based on State Treasury inflation forecasts of 2.75 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent in coming years - has been accepted by WA Police officers and firefighters.

But the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association and Health Services Union say they will not accept it, in light of the backbenchers' 3.8 per cent rise.

CPSU/CSA secretary Toni Walkington said yesterday at the very least its members should be offered Perth's most recent inflation rate of 3.1 per cent instead of Treasury's "conservative" Budget projection for 2014-15. HSU secretary Dan Hill said there would be rolling 12-hour stoppages at hospitals from July 7 unless its members were offered 4 per cent and 5 per cent over two years.

Both unions were sceptical of the timing of SAT's announcement of the MPs' wage deal, 25 minutes before close of business on the eve of a seven-week parliamentary recess, despite signing off on it on Tuesday.

A Department of Premier and Cabinet spokeswoman said SAT was independent but the Government had urged it to consider the economic climate, public sector wages policy and Treasury inflation projections.

A SAT spokesman blamed the two-day delay on the high number of determinations it finalised on Tuesday.