Last week staff at the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General unanimously rejected management's latest offer of an increase in hours to 7.30 in return for a pay increase of 4.2% annually for 3 years.
Management have also refused to protect conditions by ensuring that key,
previously agreed policies such as Performance Support Framework, OHS, and Work
Level Standards can only be varied with your agreement.
The bad news
Since the report back meeting last week there has been no movement from
management, other than letting us know that due to their Excellencies program,
they are unable to meet with us this week. Today a new meeting date has been set
for 9 April, but there is still no counter offer from management since your
rejection of the 7.30 at 4.2% pa. Many have indicated their concern that
management save significantly for every week your agreement is not finalised.
The good news
There is some good news in this regard. Your union has received advice that
the Workplace Authority (WA) is saying that they will have a turn around in 7
days on no disadvantage approvals – so you should not be adversely affected by
their eight month backlog. The new legislation says that an agreement becomes
operational 7 days after the issue of an approval notice. This is reassuring,
but we know from experience that the Workplace Authority has often failed to
meet their service standards in the past.
Best case scenario would see a new agreement operational in approximately 6
weeks.
In principle agreed draft (staff/ management)
10 days for the DEEWR assessment
5 days to get the Minister to sign off on the agreement
member ballot followed by the 14 day consideration period and all staff
ballot
14 Days for the Workplace Authority approval
While government policy means that we are not able to have back pay to cover
this delay, it is possible for management to agree to a sign up bonus to
compensate for any delays that would be an amount equal to what you would have
received if the agreement had become operations from the moment of “in principle
agreement.”
Where to from here?
Right from the beginning of negotiations your union and our representatives
have done our best to make sure that you all understand that essential link
between the quality of the agreement and level of support your union has.
Cucumber sandwiches anyone?
We have made all the preparations necessary to push your claim further, to
escalate, if this proves necessary and is supported by members. Management will
be formerly notified of a bargaining period today. A bargaining period is part
of the Work Choices legislation and refers to a time, after an agreement has
expired, where members can take "protected industrial action" An all staff
meeting will be called next week where everyone will be welcome to the report
back and following discussion. This will be followed by a member’s only meeting
where important decisions will be made.
Help us make history
History tells us how the work of unions has improved important pay and
conditions for all workers. Paid annual and sick leave, maternity leave,
overtime rates, leave loading, OHS and Superannuation are just some of the
conditions that have been won by unions.
Now it you turn to contribute, by joining today you are not only supporting
your union colleagues, you are making an important contribution to the well
being of workers everywhere, now and into the future.
You can join the CPSU securely online
here or phone our Member Service Centre, where experienced staff can answer
any questions and fill in your membership application over the phone. 1300 137
636 Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 8.00pm
