MP pay rise changes cannot be used to hold public servants back

The Public Service Association (PSA) says the changes to MP pay announced today by John Key cannot be used to justify withholding decent pay movement for public servants.

Richard Wagstaff, PSA national secretary, said “While this may stop the complaints about excessive MP pay rises, public servants will still feel aggrieved,”

“A 1% pay rise on John Key’s $400,000+ salary is a lot bigger than the same percentage on the salary of a hard-working hospital administrator paid below the living wage.

“If Mr Key thinks that he can justify below inflation pay increases for the people who keep this country running by taking the same percentage, he’s only kidding himself.

“The 40,000 PSA members in bargaining this year earn a lot less than Mr Key and his colleagues, and they will expect a fair deal from this year’s budget,” said Mr Wagstaff.

ENDS

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