Recently CPSU delegates working in science agencies attended a teleconference to discuss how we bring together members working in science agencies and promote the good work of public-sector science, service-wide bargaining and growing the union in their agencies.
Delegates decided to organise a science network across the APS and
beyond. Special thanks to Michael Borgas and Sam Popovski, CSIRO Staff
Association President and Secretary, for participating in the
teleconference. If you want to be a part of the CPSU science network
register at science.cpsu@cpsu.org.au.
On the teleconference the following issues were discussed:
No need to reinvent the wheel - The CSIRO case study
Delegates discussed the benefits of CPSU’s CSIRO Staff Association
model. The CSIRO Staff Association is a professional organisation that
has a strong and active union membership, is a well organised and is a
highly respected voice for science workers.
Service-wide changes – A better way to organise
There was discussion on the Government’s move toward a service-wide
approach in how it operates, including the potential impact of the Moran
Review which is likely to recommend greater integration of government
agencies. Delegates also discussed the need to ensure we are well
organised and have delegates across agencies talking to each other about
issues effecting staff.
A better way to bargain – quality services and decent jobs
We discussed the CPSU Agenda for Change to address pay and condition
inequity across the APS and beyond. The Government has said that all new
enterprise agreements must have an expiry date of 30 June 2011, so the
group discussed the need for science agencies to have a voice in
service-wide bargaining. To have a chance at securing quality pay and
conditions we need a concerted effort to build industrial strength
across the service.
Better science advocacy – name our science network and win two
free movie tickets
For a long time the CPSU has publicly advocated for the benefits of
science and for the good work of its scientific members. The meeting
agreed that we need greater coordination between these areas of the APS
and statutory authorities so that the public has a better picture of the
breadth and depth of public-good science in Australia. To this end, the
group agreed to create a network for science workers. To launch the
network we are asking for science workers to name the CPSU science
workers network. The best suggestion as agreed by delegates will win two
free movie tickets: email suggestions to science.cpsu@cpsu.org.au.
Supporting science delegates
We also discussed the recently negotiated rights for union delegates in
the public sector. If you’re interested in becoming a delegate we can
provide paid-time training and then support you representing science
workers. Register your interest at science.cpsu@cpsu.org.au.
