CPSU recently brought a long-running dispute with Centrelink over the non-payment of remote localities conditions to a successful conclusion.
The win has already led to payments of $56,246 to eight employees, with a ninth employee still waiting on a payment of $10,000.
The nine people were employed to work in Darwin by Centrelink in February 2006, and took up the job offers on the understanding that they would be paid remote localities conditions, including allowances and air fares.
One of the people involved took a train from Albury, NSW, to Darwin - a journey of 4500 kms - only find out when she got there that she would not be getting the remote localities conditions.
CPSU had to take Centrelink to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) four times before finally resolving the dispute and winning a package to compensate the members.
"Centrelink tried to frustrate thisd process by dragging their feet and refusing to do anything about the grievance, even though staff and their union made numerous attempts to resolve the issue," said CPSU Deputy National President Lisa Newman.
"This is a very good result for a group of workers Centrelink tried to ignore. More than two years has gone by and Centrelink has wasted a lot of time and money on an issue they could and should have sorted out as soon it was brought to their attention," said Ms Newman.
After conciliation at the AIRC, payments have been made to eight employees. These payments range from $4578.49 to $13,000, depending on circumstances. The employee who moved from Albury to Darwin has returned to Albury and has had her moving costs paid.
The members involved are reportedly very pleased with the long-awaited result and said it was another example of why they belonged to their union in the first place.
Comments(5)
Posted by:Steve - 2 May 2008, 1:04pm
Great work on this case - even if the beneficiaries are a relative few. It is sobering to know that I would receive such support if ever in such a situation. Curious re: Alex's comments (I HAD to join the union): surely union benefits are more evident than that. I doubt many employees would have the knowledge/time/expertise to take such a case to the AIRC!
Posted by:Pat - 1 May 2008, 8:07am
A win for justice in the workplace!
Well done CPSU.
Posted by:Greg - 1 May 2008, 7:24am
It does not seem to me that Centrelink's Industrial Relations people have caught up with the change of Government. They seem to be more belligerant than ever and it does not bode well for the new CA negotiations. I have yet to see a good reason for why Centrelink is taking it current stance on OH&S. Maybe the Union needs to get the Minister involved.
Posted by:Alex - 30 Apr 2008, 5:49pm
WHY must these escalate in the first place? I had to join my union this year- and that indicates a sad day for Public Service. The whole reason I worked for the Public Service is because it was 'so secure'- you couldn't find better conditions anywhere. So much for the PUBLIC SERVICE VALUES - have the staff that continued to ignore the need to pay these entitlements been fired and prosecuted- I doubt it. Disenchanted former Public Sector Graduate. Now the onus is completeley on the individual/candidate -
Posted by:Pauline - 30 Apr 2008, 2:19pm
Great to see remote localities protected - even if it did take some time.
Great work on this case - even if the beneficiaries are a relative few. It is sobering to know that I would receive such support if ever in such a situation. Curious re: Alex's comments (I HAD to join the union): surely union benefits are more evident than that. I doubt many employees would have the knowledge/time/expertise to take such a case to the AIRC!
A win for justice in the workplace!
Well done CPSU.
It does not seem to me that Centrelink's Industrial Relations people have caught up with the change of Government. They seem to be more belligerant than ever and it does not bode well for the new CA negotiations. I have yet to see a good reason for why Centrelink is taking it current stance on OH&S. Maybe the Union needs to get the Minister involved.
WHY must these escalate in the first place?
I had to join my union this year- and that indicates a sad day for Public Service. The whole reason I worked for the Public Service is because it was 'so secure'- you couldn't find better conditions anywhere. So much for the PUBLIC SERVICE VALUES - have the staff that continued to ignore the need to pay these entitlements been fired and prosecuted- I doubt it.
Disenchanted former Public Sector Graduate.
Now the onus is completeley on the individual/candidate -
Great to see remote localities protected - even if it did take some time.