CPSU members achieve better pay and conditions by acting collectively and supporting each other.
Official figures continue to show that union members earn 16% more than non-unionists on average, and that union members have greater access to leave, superannuation and other employment conditions. This is the difference that collective bargaining makes.
CPSU's core bargaining claim
The core claim is the building block of all CPSU bargaining campaigns. It is based on our experience negotiating hundreds of collective agreements over the last two years. The claim was developed and endorsed by your elected representatives on the sixty seven-member CPSU Governing Council (GC). It outlines key bargaining elements which GC believes should be contained in every CPSU-negotiated agreement. These include:
protecting terms and conditions
allowing for a balance between work and family life
improving pay and superannuation
ensuring employees are listened to and treated with respect
Having a core bargaining claim helps in all our bargaining campaigns. Achieving good bargaining outcomes will continue to rely on union members participating actively in bargaining campaigns and employees showing their support by joining the union.
What's in the core claim?
The core claim is divided into three parts:
Principles: This sets down the framework in which bargaining should occur and outlines the responsibilities that the union and employers have in relation to bargaining in good faith.
Common core claim: This sets out the range of pay and conditions outcomes union members will be campaigning for, such as:
5% per annum pay rises
15.4% employer superannuation contribution
dispute settlement
employee representation and consultation
genuine choice in workplace agreement making
hours of work
access to work life balance
redundancy
performance assessment
occupational health and safety
Agency specific claims: This part of is for specific matters are developed with the direct participation of CPSU members and potential members at the agency level. It could include claims dealing with allowances, leave, overtime and working hour's issues (such as flex time, shift work or scheduling), organisational reviews and any other issues of interest and benefit to members and potential members.
The CPSU core claim will continue to develop over time to reflect changes in the bargaining environment.
Significant outcome in NTPS bargaining- 17 March 2008 Following the count of votes at the NT Electoral Commission, employees have voted in favour of the new union collective agreement - 3573 in favour, 537 against.
Workplace wrap - February 2008- 21 February 2008 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.
How to get what you bargain for in 2008- 19 December 2007 The election of the Rudd Government presents both opportunities and challenges for CPSU members and supporters over 2008.
