Tasmania's public sector workers have walked out of their schools, hospitals, fire stations and offices on Wednesday afternoon to protest against the Tasmanian Government's wages policy.
The grass in front of Tasmania's Parliament in Hobart was covered with people holding posters saying no to another 2 per cent pay rise.
The strike saw more than 60 schools across the state close early — a decision made by the State Government after saying it could not guarantee student safety if teachers were to attend the rally.
Tim Jacobson, from Tasmania's Health and Community Services Union, addressed the crowd, telling Premier Will Hodgman and Treasurer Peter Gutwein: "You haven't yet experienced how tough we are … how much fight is really in us".
The state's 29,000 public servants are a powerful constituency, but on ABC Local Radio Mr Gutwein was not willing to budge.
"What we are prepared to discuss are a range of other employment conditions. In fact there's a long list of employment conditions we're prepared to negotiate on," Mr Gutwein said.
Public servants are calling for a 3 per cent pay rise.
The numbers at the Hobart protest on the lawns of Parliament House were estimated at close to 3,000, with 200 in Launceston and more than 150 people in Burnie on the north-west coast.
Tasmania's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has said that ultimately, both sides might need to compromise, and that the State Government may need to shift from its entrenched position.
"We are pretty supportive of the 2 per cent long-term," TCCI CEO Michael Bailey said.
"But it may be necessary for both sides to compromise, even if that means the state lifts its offer to resolve the issue."
Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) assistant secretary Thirza White said the Launceston turnout was the "biggest action we've seen in probably over a decade".
"We have six unions working together standing shoulder-to-shoulder to send a really strong message to Hodgman that he needs to scrap the cap and deliver a pay rise for all Tasmanians," she said.
Health worker Alison McLean said rising costs were making her work difficult.
"Everything's costing more: petrol, food, childcare. We need a pay rise," she said.
"I need to be able to look after my family while I look after the community."
Paramedic Nicole Olechowski said she took part in the meeting to show support for other public sector workers.
"The Government needs to know we work bloody hard, everyone here works really hard and we need to be supported by them, we need to be looked after," she said.
Mr Gutwein, who has claimed Tasmania's economy is entering a "golden age" under his stewardship, said public sector workers should view the issue from a private sector perspective.
"The vast majority of people are employed in the private sector, and in many cases they will not be getting a 2 per cent wage increase and certainly not 6 per cent over three years," he said.
