Union ad campaign opposes NSW workers' compo cuts

21/05/2012 - NSW Unions have launched an $800,000 television and billboard campaign opposing state government plans to clamp down on workers' compensation payments.

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Unions NSW secretary Mark Lennon said the advertisements would run for five weeks in metropolitan and regional media from Sunday as part of the biggest industrial campaign in a decade to protect WorkCover entitlements.

The state government claims that WorkCover payments will blow out by $4 billion without new restrictions.

A discussion paper has recommended a two-and-a-half year limit on entitlements and a cap on medical payments.

But Lennon says the O'Farrell government shouldn't be targeting injured workers.

"This group of workers are some of the most vulnerable people in our community," Lennon told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.

"For anyone to be suggesting there should be further cuts to the scheme is just totally unacceptable."

Lennon said the TV and billboard drive would be the biggest since the Carr Labor government trimmed WorkCover a decade ago.

"This would be our biggest response in well over a decade," he said.

Michael Jenkins, who lost his right hand in an industrial accident at Young in 2006, said any changes to WorkCover would make life harder for those who are seriously injured.

"My right hand dropped down and was sucked into a crushing device designed for cracking corn and it just chewed away all of the fingers and bones in my right hand," he told reporters.

Workplace Tragedy Family Support Group public officer Wendy Lark said the government proposal was cruel to injured workers and their families.

"They already have to live a changed life for the rest of their lives," she said.

A union rally protesting against the changes will be held outside Parliament House on June 13, the day a parliamentary inquiry into WorkCover reports.

Source: AAP

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