Better Services Campaign Rally - ABC News

Unions have vowed to hit the streets again after more than 45,000 NSW public-sector workers demonstrated against what they say is an attack on their jobs and wages.

Firefighters in uniform, police, teachers, nurses, prison officers, and bus and ferry drivers carried placards and flags into central Sydney shortly after 11am (AEST) on Thursday as the sounds of Bob Dylan blasted from loudspeakers.

The crowd of 35,000 protesters in Sydney was far greater than the union movement's forecast of a 20,000 turnout.

Unions NSW secretary Mark Lennon vowed there would be more unrest unless Premier Barry O'Farrell backed down from plans to slash 5000 public service back-office jobs and impose a 2.5 per cent cap on government wages.

"As this campaign continues, we become stronger, co-ordinated, more flexible and united," he told the rally.

"From here, this campaign will continue to roll out politically, in our communities and we'll continue to roll out this campaign industrially as well."

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