Customs breakthrough puts pressure on other agencies
3 November 2011, 12:00pm
A breakthrough pay offer in Customs that finally keeps pace with the rising cost of living has put pressure on management in other agencies to lift their bargaining game.
Months of hard campaigning have paid off for Customs workers who have been offered average pay increases of almost 11% over three years as well as improvements to some conditions.
The offer which members will vote on shortly came after a series of national stoppages including some 24 hours strikes at international airports. Members had taken industrial action to protest stalled pay negotiations and the Government’s failure to genuinely negotiate a new agreement.
CPSU President Michael Tull said “Customs staff do a tough job protecting our borders, at airports, ports, mail facilities and working on the frontline against people-smugglers. They’ve simply sought a pay offer that keeps up with increases in the cost of living and that deals with their frontline issues.
"There is no doubt that the strong and united action of CPSU members over the past months helped push Customs and the Government to finally make an offer that keeps up with the rising costs of living.
"This offer isn't everything our members asked for but in the current environment it is an important step forward. It is a significant outcome and should give hope to members in agencies such as DAFF, Defence, BoM and the ATO who are also fighting for a better deal.
"This has been a long, tough dispute, but it really did not need to be this difficult. I’d encourage the Government to move quickly to resolve other outstanding agreements," said Mr Tull.
What's in the new pay deal?
In order to satisfy the Government's bargaining parameters the final make-up the pay offer is complex. It combines 8% base pay rises over three years with access to extra remuneration through the tweaking of pay-points and/or bonus payments. Overall the new deal will deliver 10.4% or better to more than 98% of Customs staff and the average increase will be 10.94%. The maximum pay rise under the deal is around 18% and a minimum will be 10.3%. You can see more details here.
What about employment conditions?
As well as pay rises, the new deal also introduces a new package of conditions which address a range of Customs members' concerns, including:
enhanced delegates rights
new work location allowance (of up to $1600 per annum) to compensate staff for lack of amenities and public transport
a marine conditions package including an increase to CMA on transition to cape class
an uplift to minimum salaries for Customs Level 1-3 and Customs Level 5 employees
an increase from 15 - 30% shift penalties for working a night shift
