The end of the financial year is a busy time for everyone and CPSU members are no exception.
Here is a brief wrap of current wins, campaigns and disputes including Centrelink, Customs, Australia Council, RET, Finance, Statistics, DoHA, ATO, DFAT and many many more.
Centrelink threatens to cut power
The CPSU is launching legal action to prevent Centrelink imposing unfair utility charges on staff temporarily working in the Northern Territory as part of the intervention. Learn more and have your say here.
Australia Council strike action Union members at the Australia Council are continuing their campaign to protect existing working conditions and win a modest pay increase. Read more and send a message of support here.
Customs: Cancer investigation underway Monday 23 June saw the first meeting of the reference group assisting the investigation into concerns raised by staff about the possible existence of a cancer cluster at Customs House. Read more here
Finance vote for union deal Staff at the Department of Finance are celebrating the benefits of having their first union agreement in more than a decade. As well as securing a reasonable pay rise, the new two- year agreement delivers extra pay points, better time off in lieu arrangement and the return of paid overtime for the first time in 10 years.
Security guards at Centrelink
A trial security guard deployment in Centrelink has yielded positive results with staff in offices with security guards reporting less client aggression in queues. Of the additional 38 guards deployed, 34 will remain, bringing the total number of offices with security guards to 66. CPSU representatives have been provided with a detailed report on the security guards trial and will provide feedback to the national health and safety committee. If you would like a copy of this report, please contact christine.smith@centrelink.gov.au
Union action delivers dollars at DoHA
Following strong representation from your union and the efforts of CPSU members and supporters in the workplace, DoHA staff working in the National Incident Room have now secured extra penalty rates for all shifts worked during the swine flu crisis. Read more here.
Centrelink call-centre rosters are out of control!
Call-centre employees from across the country have told their union that Centrelink’s Call Scheduling System is out of control and out of order. Members have launched a campaign designed to give them some control over their hours. Click here to learn more
New deal underway in Productivity Commission:
The first steps in negotiating a new Productivity Commission Collective Agreement have begun, with a preliminary meeting in Canberra on the 24th June. Discussion included the requirements of the new Fair Work laws and guiding principles for bargaining. CPSU is now commencing the process of gathering member feedback and developing CPSU members' bargaining position. PC staff wishing to get more invovled in the campaign can contact Liz.Bower@cpsu.org.au
New deal for DFAT
CPSU members in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) recently endorsed an historic new union collective agreement. It is the first time in well over a decade DFAT staff have been covered by a union agreement. The new one-year agreement provides a minimum of 4% pay increase, as well as 14 weeks paid maternity leave, adoption leave, three weeks supporting partner leave and important representation and delegates’ rights.
ABS: Breakthrough on job cuts
The CPSU's push for a fair redundancies for ABS staff is paying dividends with management finally agreeing to a voluntary process. Read more here
Telstra: What's next with enterprise bargaining?
With the Federal Government’s new workplace laws about to come into effect, there are opportunities for Telstra staff to win better outcomes at work. Read more here
Tax agreement endorsed
ATO management have announced that the new ATO agreement has been endorsed by a majority of staff. The final vote was 56% in favour. Read more here.
Web 2.0 taskforce has the numbers
A new taskforce has been launched to investigate how the Government can utilise new ‘Web 2.0’ approaches to improve engagement with citizens. Read more from PSnews here
DIAC: Important information about personal leave
CPSU members in DIAC have recently contacted their union with concerns regarding access to personal leave. Knowing your rights can make a difference and here are a few things you should know. More information here
Australian Crime Commission: Fighting crime doesn’t pay In an extraordinary meeting in Canberra on 24 June, just six days before the current collective agreement expires, ACC management advised that their finances are in such chaos that they are unable to make a pay offer this year. Read more here.
Briggs calls for new thinking
Policy makers in the APS are being challenged to think outside the Public Service box in a new publication issued by the Australian Public Service Commission. Read more from PSnews here
Resources, Energy and Tourism
Negotiations for the new agreement continued late last week and saw some small improvements in RET's position. Read more here
