Frontline workers during the Black Summer bushfires and COVID pandemic were again at the forefront but this time they were thanked for their efforts at the South Coast May Day March.
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Hundreds of workers took to the streets of Wollongong for International Workers Day on Saturday.
South Coast Labour Council president Arthur Rorris said the march was lead by nurses, firefighters, teachers, SES, transport and public sector workers who pulled the community through dark and uncertain times in the past year.
"It was great to see workers back on the street, standing by each other and showing community spirit," he said.
"This year was particularly important to show support for the workers who went way beyond the call of duty and help us through the bushfire and COVID crisis."
One of those workers was Nicole Harding who is employed at the SES State Headquarters in Wollongong and is a Public Service Association delegate.
"Working in the public service and for an emergency service agency, we have been in the thick of the action over the last few years," she said.
"We've worked tireless hours through bushfires, floods and a pandemic.
"We do this because it is our job to serve the people and communities of NSW."
Ms Harding went on to say the state government had not shown public servant workers the same commitment and wanted them to increase their workloads and hours but wanted to freeze their wage increase.
"The Public Service Association continues to fight for more in the courts, but really it's time we all stand up and unite to support each other and voice our concerns on the streets and in our communities so that Parliament can hear us," she said.
Mr Rorris said the state government had treated workers "badly" by "slapping them in the face with a wage increase freeze" despite the government taking credit for the efforts from frontline staff.
"The workers have gone above and beyond and we recognise that, not through thoughts and prayers, but by seeing they have food to put on their tables," he said.
Mr Rorris said their was an atmosphere of being grateful and uplifted during the rally and march, which included chanting and slogans.
"We saw clearly that during the community's time of need, when the chips were down during the bushfire crisis and pandemic, our people responded so well," he said.
"We have a saying in Uniontown from legendary unionist Fred Moore, 'when the workers take to the streets, the streets belong to the workers'."
Respect for women in the workplace was another strong theme in speeches from Illawarra Women's Health Centre general manager Sally Stevenson and South Coast Labour Council president Tina Smith.
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