More than one in four essential workers have considered leaving NSW for greener pastures interstate because of uncompetitive wages compounded by rising inflation.
A Unions NSW survey of around 2900 workers across schools, hospitals, prisons, the transport network and emergency services, showed that capping public sector wage rises at about three per cent has driven many to leave their professions.
More than 25 per cent have considered or are considering moving and working in the public sector interstate, with nearly 55 per cent of that specific group choosing Queensland as an attractive destination to settle down.
Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey said the research was a wake-up call, and pointed the finger at Premier Dominic Perrottet's government.
"NSW is on the verge of a great resignation," he said on Tuesday.
"After ten years of wage cuts, redundancies and restructures, our hospitals, schools and emergency services are cut to the bone."
The survey also found 62 per cent are considering leaving the public sector in the next five years, with workers education and health care extremely dissatisfied.
An eye-watering 93 per cent also believe their salary has not kept up with the rising cost of living over the past five years.
"It's time to end the war on the workforce and stop pushing them away," Mr Morey said.
"These workers are absolutely critical to our future and we just don't have enough of them."
