‘Slap in the face’: unions demand higher wages for Queensland public servants as inflation bites

Thousands of members of the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union have emailed the treasurer, Cameron Dick, demanding a pay rise. Photograph: Darren England/EPA

Queensland unions are calling for pay increases for public sector workers ahead of the state budget next week, with one union claiming anything less than a 5.5% yearly increase would be a “slap in the face”.

Inflation is expected to hit 7% by the end of this year but public sector workers across the state have been receiving annual wage increases of 2.5% for several years.