A majority of NT Public Service employees have voted to accept the Gunner Government’s wage freeze policy, which will see them reap the controversial $4,000 lump sum “bonus” this year in exchange for having their wages frozen for the next four years.

The vote was finalised Friday morning, the Community and Public Sector Union said, and will now go before the Fair Work Commission before taking effect.

Public servants last month rejected the $1,000 annual “bonus” offer. But Chief Minister Michael Gunner later sweetened the pot, hiking the bonus to $4,000 for the first year and $2,000 a year for the remaining three years.

He did this with money he claimed the government “saved” by sacking nearly 400 public servants who failed to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

CPSU NT secretary Kay Densley confirmed the results of the vote to the NT Independent.

“A majority of NTPS employees who voted have voted to accept the agreement, which will now go before the Fair Work Commission before it can come into effect,” said NT secretary Kay Densley.

“NTPS workers should never have had to choose between a taxable bonus before Christmas with threats of job cuts if they rejected the offer, and continuing to bargain under the Gunner Government’s unfair wages policy.

“But pressure from union members during negotiations has resulted in a clause being included in the agreement that should there be a change to the NT Government’s wages policy in the next four years, any additional benefits, like salary, will be passed on to employees.

Ms Densley said there could still be changes to the wages policy before the EBA is finalised.

“With teachers, correctional officers, firefighters, nurses, and Power and Water staff still to bargain, there remains opportunity to force a change in the government’s wages policy that could benefit all NTPS workers,” she said.

Public Employment Minister Paul Kirby said public servants will soon receive three days paid leave over the “Christmas Closedown” and “a $4000 lump sum, to be paid on payday of January 20, 2022″.

“This agreement provides for a range of significantly improved employment conditions, including leave entitlements and job certainty,” Mr Kirby said in a statement.

“Thanks to all our hardworking public servants in the Territory. Whether you’re out on the frontline keeping Territorians safe, or serving the Territory across our many different agencies, your dedication and commitment to your work does not go unnoticed.”