Public sector workers in NSW have gone on strike demanding a 5.2 per cent pay rise. 

The NSW Government earlier this week outlined a 3 per cent pay rise for public sector employees, as well as a one-off payment of $3,000 to health care workers. 

Many workers said this apparent pay rise would actually constitute a pay cut, with inflation at 5.1 per cent.

Demonstrations were held in Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Newcastle and other areas of the state.  

Public Service Association general secretary Stewart Little said the union - which organised this week’s strike - supports the $3,000 one-off payment, but wanted other areas of the public sector, such as education and prisons, to receive it too. 

“Why aren’t we receiving the same treatment as those other frontline workers? And I tell you why. Because … [NSW Premier Dominic] Perrottet does not have a plan when it comes to inflation or the cost of living,” Mr Little said. 

“We hear about interest rates going up, prices going up, electricity going up. Everything’s up except one thing. Our wages.”

Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey spoke at a rally as part of the strike, saying the premier is wrong to think workers only care about pay.

“It’s about three things. Firstly, it’s about the overwork: the failing to fill positions, taking on extra work, longer hours, and no pay,” he said.  

“Secondly, you’ve got a premier who announces 10,000 new health workers, where’s he going to get them from? He can’t hold onto the workforce that he’s got. How many people have had enough? [We’re] overworked, underpaid. 

“And finally, this dispute is about one word that sums it all up: that word is respect,” Mr Morey said. 

Mr Perrottet said the state would not extend the payments to other sectors.

“My job as premier is to stand up for my members — that’s the 8 million people across our state,” he said. 

“It’s not just the public service who are going through a challenging time, it’s every single person across NSW after coming through the pandemic.”