Last week the CPSU’s Governing Council, the union's peak decision-making body made up of elected representatives from APS agencies, met to discuss our progress in the campaign.
Key objectives of our campaign considered included:
fair pay increase for all employees
pay equity
back pay
fair redundancy rights, including APS-wide redeployment
protecting current conditions from Government cuts.
A fair pay increase
As you may be aware the CPSU was seeking a pay increase of 4% per year for two years. Meanwhile, the Government is seeking a three year agreement to 2014. In response to the Government's claim Governing Council has put forward a 5% increase for the third year.
Real wages growth
In contrast to the Government's pay offer, the pay claim of 4% + 4% + 5% will guarantee employees real wages growth. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is often used to measure inflation and in the five years to 2010 the average annual increase in CPI was 3.1%.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics also calculates the Analytical Living Cost Indexes (ALCI) which is like CPI but includes factors such as interest paid on mortgages. In the five years to December 2010, the ALCI increased on average 3.7% a year.
It is clear the Government’s position of up to 3% per annum for three years will not only provide no real wage increase, it won’t even cover future rising living costs.
Pay equity
The Governing Council also endorsed a mechanism to provide employees in low paying agencies with access to additional pay points to achieve some pay equity movement.
Government’s position at a glance
The CPSU’s service-wide claim was endorsed by a majority of members in September last year. In many agencies, members have also prepared claims for agency-specific issues. In the meantime, the Government has released its bargaining agenda and recommended common terms and conditions.
The CPSU’s Governing Council has developed the following response to the Government’s agenda and we’re now seeking your views.
CPSU service-wide claim
Government position
CPSU Governing Council’s response
Pay increase of 4% per year over a two year agreement
Pay increase of 3% or less per year over a three year agreement
Pursue our pay claim but add a 5% increase for a third year to align with the Government's three year time table
Pay equity achieved across the APS funded by a service-wide mechanism
Pay equity for the lowest paid five percent, but only if their agency can afford it
Pursue claim for the bottom 50 percent by adding additional pay points
Back pay where negotiations have been disadvantaged
No back pay except in exceptional circumstances
Government delays to negotiations have been exceptional and back pay will be pursued
Job security measures
No job security measures
Pursue the claim, including mechanisms to enable redeployment, avoid involuntary redundancies and limit use of casuals, labour hire, etc
Measures to improve diversity and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
Agencies are encouraged to include mechanisms in agreements to help meet the Government’s commitment of 2.7% representation although very little progress has been made
Pursue the claim by actively campaigning for the inclusion of such clauses in agreements drawing on the advice of NATSIC
Guaranteed 15.4% superannuation
15.4% not guaranteed and can be changed by the government without your consent
Lock in 15.4% in our enterprise agreements
Consistent conditions with improvements
Consistent conditions with reductions
No cuts and seek improvements
Please take our member-only poll and let us know what you think of the claim.
Get involved
If you would like to find out ways you can get active in the Better Way to Bargain campaign for better pay and conditions in the APS please email us.
