With departmental changes underway, a tough Budget looming, pay negotiations continuing and new public service agreement-making rules about to be released, it's all hands to the wheel. Here's a quick workplace wrap.
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APS: Public Service Commissioner Lynelle Briggs has warned any move to extend the freeze on MPs pay to the APS will make it harder to attract talent in a tight labour market. More from ABC Online here.
ABC: The CPSU has raised concerns about a new proposal to introduce advertising, as part of its expansion into the new medium of video mobile phones. Read more from The Australian online.
IP Australia: ICPSU recently met with management to continue discussions on replacing the now expired collective agreement at IPA. Management look likely to agree to a 15.4% guaranteed employee super contribution regardless of choice of fund. More information here
Centrelink: The CPSU has called for a ‘no forced redundancy' guarantee in relation to Centrelink jobs. Read more and have your say .
APVMA: A draft bargaining claim for the next Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority collective agreement has been prepared. It includes seeking guaranteed fully funded pay increases of 5% per annum for the duration of a three year agreement. More on this story here
ATO: Last month ATO staff received the third instalment of their CPSU-negotiated pay rise. This instalment increased pay by 2%, with a further 5% increase coming on 1 July 2008. Later this year CPSU and staff will begin to prepare for the next ATO agreement. More details here.
HREOC: A 3% pay increase which was effective as of 24 January is the final instalment of the current union negotiated pay rise at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Preparations are currently being made to negotiate the next union collective agreement later this year. Read on here.
ACTION: The union negotiated agreement at the ACTION section of the ACT Government has been finalised and CPSU members are voting on it. The pay increase of 4% should be paid next month and will be backdated to 5 April 2007. More on this story here.
ABS: The CPSU says further cuts to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) budget could have a marked impact on important research programs such as the census. Read more from ABC online.
Launceston call centre jobs: Last week the Rudd Government announced the proposed expansion of Launceston Centrelink call centre - as promised by the Howard Government - was not going to proceed. Read more.
