Union breakthrough secures 667 jobs and more

667 jobs saved and more

Last Friday, your union reached agreement with the Minister for Human Services to save the 667 temporary positions that were due to be cut at the end of August.

We also agreed to maintain staffing levels pending a review of services. Specifically, we agreed:

1. Over the next six months a review of Centrelink call centre services will be undertaken by the union and DHS to identify how to “improve service delivery to the public”. This working group needs to report directly to the Minister in February 2013.
2. While the joint review is conducted, DHS will:

• Keep and maintain the current staffing levels.
• Keep and maintain the profile of the workforce – ie numbers of permanent full-time, part-time and temporary contract staff; including the 667 temporary full-time contract positions.
• Offer all temporary fixed term contract staff not on performance improvement processes a full six month extension of employment to end of February 2013.
• Fill any vacancies to permanent and fixed term contract positions as they arise by, firstly redeploying displaced staff from elsewhere in department, then secondly by external recruitment processes.
• Seek to temporarily redeploy other staff where the capacity to do so is available to immediately assist Call Centres for the next two months

Get the facts

Find out more about DHS staffing cuts and minimum staffing plans here.

What’s next?

While last week's agreement will stop the job cuts and secure staffing levels, it doesn’t deliver permanent solutions.

Delegates will be meeting shortly to plan the next steps we need we will be taking in our Permanent Jobs = Permanent Solutions campaign to make the review of services work for staff and the community.

Not yet a member?

Ultimately, our strength depends on your support. The more members we have, the better able we’ll be to improve working conditions in Centrelink and across the APS. To join, see your CPSU delegate or join securely online here.