Workplace wrap, June 2008

AQIS: The release of the Callinan Report into the August 2007 equine influenza outbreak has confirmed that a lack of staff and resources at AQIS was a key cause of the horse flu crisis - vindicating union concerns that AQIS has been under-resourced for some time. CPSU is currently examining all the recommendations and their implications for staff. For more information including links to the full report and the Government's response, click here.

CSIRO action: The CSIRO Staff Association has called a national ‘Day of Protest’ on Friday 13 June. Upset at stalled negotiations for a new enterprise bargaining agreement, staff have rejected management’s latest offer claiming it represents a cut in their current conditions. Heavy cuts to research resulting from Federal Budget cuts are also in the spotlight. Find out more and send your support here.

Centrelink: In the last two weeks CPSU has run more than 600 meetings in Centrelink workplaces across the country to listen to what Centrelink employees have to say and to find out what staff want in their next union collective agreement. If you missed out or work in a remote office - don't worry - there are still plenty of opportunities to have your say. Find out more by following this link.

Medicare Australia: Negotiations are starting to get underway in Medicare Australia. After staff expressed their clear preference for a union negotiated collective agreement, CPSU has started visiting offices and collecting the views of employees to help develop a staff bargaining position. In the meantime, the CPSU negotiation team has been formed and is preparing for its first meeting with management. To find out more and meet the team, click here. 

Telstra bargaining: This week Telstra unions met with management to present issues for the next agreement and outline the case for change. Talks covered pay and productivity, redundancy entitlements, AWA transition issues and the need to build better workplace relations in Telstra. For more detail on the issues discussed, click here.

Telstra OHS: Telstra employees in Adelaide's Pirie St office are demanding straight answers from local management following a major sewerage spill earlier this week.As a result of union representation to management, a number of staff located close to the spill were permitted to go home for the rest of the day - an outcome that underlines the important role union HSRs play. Full report here.

Finance: The votes, the results have been tallied and a majority of Finance staff who participated in the recent ballot have chosen a union collective agreement. Congratulations to all CPSU members who spoke to colleagues, shared their views and participated in briefings around the country - and welcome to all the new members that joined the union. So what's next? More here. 

Veterans Affairs: With the current DVA Agreement due to expire in December, its time to get prepared for new collective agreement negotiations. CPSU is looking for union members to volunteer as bargaining team representatives. To find what's expected and how you can help, click here.

IP Australia: The work towards a new collective agreement in IP Australia continues to progress. CPSU representatives talked with management recently during the latest Workplace Committee meeting. To find out what was discussed and how you can talk further with your local union rep, click here. 

Infrastructure: CPSU has met with and written to the department seeking a commitment to genuine consultation on its proposed office closures. All directly and indirectly affected staff are asked to complete a brief online survey. Your views and opinions will be kept confidential and will greatly enhance the quality of CPSU's future representations on this important issue. Full details here. 

ABS: For the last five months CPSU has attempted to get ABS management to recognise the rights of all employees under the new Government’s IR policy. Not only has management refused to recognise the need for change, they are threatening CPSU delegates for performing basic union activities such as distributing union information, prompting CPSU to take Federal Court action. More information and media reports here.