MARCH 2024
Your Union Agreement 2024 Claim has been officially lodged with Government Sector Labour Relations.
On the eve of Wednesday, 28th of February 2024, your elected Union Council representatives formally endorsed the Log of Claims for Your Union Agreement 2024. The following Tuesday, 5th of March 2024, we took the next steps to initiate bargaining by lodging your Log of Claims with Government Sector Labour Relations.
Your Union Agreement 2024 claim was developed based on thousands of survey responses from CPSU/CSA members. Your claim items were endorsed to be presented to your Union Council, by your workplace Delegates, at DelCon 2024.
After seven years of restrictive wages policies, and an ongoing cost of living crisis, you deserve better pay and conditions. Your Union Agreement 2024 pay claim will catch up and keep up with mounting cost of living pressures so you can afford to live and live a better life.
Members have told us that public sector workers need better pay, conditions and entitlements to attract and retain skilled public sector workers. Member action ended wage caps, now our collective power can secure improvements in pay and conditions to ensure that every public sector worker can afford to live and live a better life. Download your YUA24 Claim in full here.
Over the coming weeks Delegates will begin running Paid Union Meetings (won by members) in workplaces across the sector. Reach out to your delegates for more details about when the next Paid Union Meeting will be held in your workplace. If there are no delegates in your workplace, email [email protected] to request that a PUM be scheduled in your workplace.
Not a member? JOIN TODAY!
FEBRUARY 2024
Council has endorsed Your Union Agreement 2024 Claim.
Following extensive consultation, a powerful mandate from the grassroots membership and the endorsement of workplace Delegates, the Community and Public Sector/Civil Service Association (CPSU/CSA) will this week initiate bargaining for a replacement Public Sector Civil Service Association Agreement 2022 with a Log of Claims that will enable public sector workers to afford to live and live a better life.
Over the past twelve months, members have reflected that they are not just struggling with the cost of living, but are at breaking point, with 54.10% of respondents to a 2023 members survey indicating they have been forced to reduce spending on essentials while 15.36% have skipped meals.
CPSU/CSA members are seeking a 7 per cent pay rise in the first year, and 5 per cent in the second year of their new industrial agreement to afford to live.
Members also seek a raft of conditions improvements to support them to live a better life. Notable claims include establishing a 4-day workweek pilot program in public sector agencies, strengthening flexible working arrangements so that they can only be refused on reasonable business grounds, and increasing paid parental leave to 18 weeks for both primary and secondary caregivers. The Union also seeks reforms to a variety of regional employee entitlements to entice skilled workers to deliver public services in regional and remote WA.
CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary, Rikki Hendon, said these key claim items address the critical issues of attraction and retention issues facing the Western Australian Public Sector.
“Today, the CPSU/CSA has formally submitted the Log of Claims for the replacement of the Public Sector Civil Service Association Agreement 2022. The topline item focuses on pay, calling for 7% in the first year and 5% in the second year. The whole claim represents a fair and balanced list of items to ensure workers in the WA public sector can afford to live and live a better life, whilst tackling the sector’s attraction and retention crisis.
“This month, the independent Salaries and Allowances Tribunal recognised that attraction and retention is a serious issue in the WA Public Sector. In addition, research from UnionsWA indicates public sector workers are earning up to 12 per cent less in real wages after seven years of restrictive wages caps.
“The evidence for a 4-day workweek shows an increase in the health and well-being of employees and an increase in workplace productivity. Our members seek a replacement agreement under which they can afford to live, live a better life and continue to deliver valued public services to the people of Western Australia.
Over the coming days, email communications will be sent to members with further information and resources about all of the claim items in Your Union Agreement 2024. Ensure that you stay up to date on the latest YUA24 communications by logging into your CPSU/CSA Member Portal and updating your contact details.
Not a member? JOIN TODAY!
NOVEMBER 2023
Your Department of Justice (Youth Custodial Officers) CSA Agreement 2022 is Registered!
On 21 November 2023, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) formally approved and registered your Department of Justice (Youth Custodial Officers) CSA Agreement 2022. The key improvements achieved in this round of bargaining are new salary reclassification for all positions and an Adaptive Operational and Staffing Dynamics document recording the agreement between the Department of Justice and CPSU/CSA providing for operations when staffing levels are low addressing the serious workplace health and safety concerns.
Members from Banksia Hill Detention Centre and Unit 18 at Casuarina Prison fought hard by taking significant industrial action in March 2023, for safety, and campaigning for better pay and conditions. There is more work to be done on safety but this is a win so congratulations to YCO members!
AUGUST 2023
Your Electorate and Research Officers General Agreement 2022 is Registered!
On 18 August 2023, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) formally approved and registered your Electorate and Research Officers General Agreement 2022. Congratulations to all union members involved in helping us campaign for better pay and conditions. The key improvements achieved in this round of bargaining are Electoral Offices will have access to laptops for staff, increase end contract payment notice period or pay in lieu from four weeks to five and so much more!
AUGUST 2023
Your Disability Services Commission (Social Trainers) CSA Agreement is Registered!
On 10 August 2023, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) registered the Disability Services Commission (Social Trainers) CSA Agreement 2022. This is a two-year agreement that includes new provision items from the Public Sector CSA Agreement 2022 such as improved Personal Leave provisions including greater support for Mental Health, Public Health Emergency Leave and so much more.
Your delegates have fought hard to protect Schedule 5 of the Agreement which requires level 3 Social Trainers to be employed at specific locations. With your feedback, the CPSU/CSA will continue to negotiate for ways to create meaningful roles within your workplace that enable meaningful career progression opportunities.
AUGUST 2023
Your Department of Communities (Family Support Officers) CSA Agreement 2022 is Registered!
On 9 August 2023, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) registered the Department of Communities (Family Support Officers) CSA Agreement 2022. This is a two-year agreement. The key improvements achieved in this round of bargaining are new salary reclassifications for Level 1 positions to Level 2, greater access to Working from Home, improved Personal Leave provisions including greater support for Mental Health, Public Health Emergency Leave and so much more.
The ongoing effort and determination of FSO bargaining representatives also achieved Communities’ ongoing commitment to the creation of a position that includes responsibility for the coordination of FSO’s. Whilst these discussions are ongoing, this is a positive step towards greater recognition of the responsibilities of the role and opportunities for career progression.
JUNE 2023
Your Department of Education (School Support Officers) CSA Agreement 2022 is Registered!
On 28 June 2023 at 4:00pm, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) formally approved and registered the Department of Education (School Support Officers) CSA Agreement 2022.
This is a two-year agreement which includes new provision items such as expanded Salary Bands, new School-based Workload Management provisions, Public Health Emergency Leave, improved Personal Leave, including greater support for Mental Health and greater access to Working From Home.
Congratulations to all union members and delegates who contributed to negotiating the Department of Education (School Support Officers) Agreement 2022.
MAY 2023
Your Insurance Commission of WA (Government Officers) CSA Agreement 2022 is Registered!
On 25 May 2023, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) formally approved and registered your Insurance Commission of WA (Government Officers) CSA Agreement 2022. This is a two-year agreement which includes new provision items such working-from-home (WFH) arrangements, workload management provisions, support for mental health (Personal Leave), arrangements for public health emergencies and so much more.
APRIL 2023
Your Second Youth Custodial Officers Ballot results – Offer accepted
On 20 April 2023, voting ended for the second ballot for the Department of Justice (Youth Custodial Officers) Agreement 2022. Members under this agreement rejected first offer back in February 2023. Last month, members took industrial action and forced the Department of Justice to finally to hear the concerns and claims around safety at Banksia Hill Detention Centre. Members have won the Adaptive Operational and Staffing Dynamics for Banksia Hill. Securing this improved agreement is the first step in securing workplace health and safety long term. Congratulations to members under this agreement.
Drafting will take place with Government Sector Labour Relations (GSLR).
MARCH 2023
Your Jury Officers Ballot results – Offer accepted
On 16 January 2023, we received an offer for the Department of Justice (Jury Officers) Agreement 2022. Voting opened on 24 February 2023 and closed on 2 March 2023 to a ballot of members. Members had their say and overwhelmingly ACCEPTED the offer.
Drafting is currently progressing with Government Sector Labour Relations (GSLR) for the Agreement.
FEBRUARY 2023
Your Public Sector CSA Agreement 2022 is registered!
On 21 February 2023, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) formally approved and registered your Public Sector CSA Agreement 2022.
Congratulations to all union members involved who helped us campaign for better pay and conditions. Members covered by this agreement can now access the new, improved working conditions and entitlements that were campaigned in 2022.
FEBRUARY 2023
Your Public Sector CSA Agreement 2022 has been signed, and lodged with the WAIRC
On Friday, 10 February the application to register the Public Sector CSA Agreement 2022 was lodged with the WA Industrial Relations Commission. Members under this Agreement are one step closer to being able to access the new, improved working conditions and entitlements members campaigned for in 2022.
Most members employed under this Agreement will already have received their negotiated pay increases, back pay, and Cost of Living Payment (COLP) as a direct result of our advocacy in late December 2022 that they are implemented prior to registration.
Drafting is now taking place for satellite agreements where offers have been received and accepted. Once Your Union Agreement is registered, our focus will be on working with members to get the most out of new working conditions and entitlements.
JANUARY 2023
Social Trainers Ballot results - Offer Accepted
On Thursday, 26 January at 4pm voting ended for members under the Disability Services Commission (Social Trainers) CSA Agreement 2022. A majority of members who voted, voted to ACCEPT the offer.
We are finalising the drafting of the new provisions for inclusion in the Agreements. We will then need to check the full replacement Agreements to ensure they are all accurate. The Agreements will then be signed by the parties and the paperwork completed for lodgement. The Public Sector CSA Agreement will be the first Agreement lodged as it includes the core conditions for the Satellite Agreements.
JANUARY 2023
Delegates vote to open Social Trainers and Electorate and Research Employee ballots
On Wednesday, 11 January 2023 we received an offer from GSLR and the McGowan government for the Disability Services Commission (Social Trainers) CSA Agreement 2022. Another offer was also received for Electorate and Research Employees CSA Agreement 2022 on 19 January 2023.
Both Social Trainer Delegates and Electorate and Research Employee Delegates met for seperate meetings to discuss the latest offers and decided to recommend that the offer received be put to a ballot of members, giving members under these agreements to vote for their pay and conditions.
Disability Services Commission (Social Trainers) CSA Agreement 2022
Ballot Opens: Thursday, 19 January at 9:00am
Ballot Closes: Thursday, 26 January at 12:00pm
Electorate and Research Employees CSA Agreement 2022
Ballot Opens: Wednesday, 25 January at 9:00am
Ballot Closes: Wednesday, 1 February at 12:00pm
WHAT NOW?
Only members under these agreements will be able to vote on offers made. Know someone who isn’t a member? Ask them to join the union
DECEMBER 2022
Family Support Officers Ballot results - Offer Accepted
On Thursday, 22 December, voting ended for the Department of Communities (Family Support Officers) CSA Agreement 2022. An absolute majority of members who voted, voted to ACCEPT the offer (100%).
On the previous day Premier Mark McGowan, announced on that he would fast-track a pay increase and cost of living payment for Police and Nurses while negotiations for their industrial agreements continue with their respective unions.
We understand this to mean that Employers are now authorised to process pay increases (including backpay) and the $3000 cost of living payment for the following agreements:
- Public Sector CSA Agreement 2022;
- Department of Education (School Support Officers) CSA Agreement 2022;
- Insurance Commission of Western Australia (Government Officers) CSA General Agreement 2022;
- Main Roads CSA Enterprise Agreement;
- Department of Communities (Family Support Officers) CSA Agreement 2022.
Your Union has also sought that the fast tracked arrangements be applied to the following agreements, for which we are awaiting offers from Government:
- Department of Justice (Jury Officers) CSA Agreement;
- Department of Justice (Youth Custodial Officers) CSA Agreement;
- Electorate and Research Officers CSA Agreement;
- Disability Services Commission (Social Trainers) CSA Agreement.
Where fast-tracked payments apply, they should be implemented as soon as practicable, in full for full time employees and pro rata for part time and casual employees.
Precise dates for payment will be dependent on your agency’s payroll. We are conscious that this development will not have been anticipated by your agencies and will likely place payroll staff (who are also union members) under extra pressure, so please be understanding and patient with them as they translate the new direction into action.
DECEMBER 2022
YUA22 Ballot results - Offer Accepted
At noon on Friday, 16 December, voting ended for members covered under the:
- Public Sector CSA Agreement,
- Department of Education (School Support Officers) CSA Agreement, and
- Insurance Commission of WA CSA Agreement.
In all three YUA22 Ballots, members voted to ACCEPT their respective offers from Government.
Just over a year ago, the Government’s wages policy was still to cap pay rises at $1000 per annum pro rata. 12 months on, members hard work has secured an Agreement with a base-rate pay increase at least triple that quantum.
Members have fought hard for their Agreement outcomes. Campaigning in workplaces, standing together with our Public Sector Alliance partners, taking powerful collective action and voting in the thousands for their Agreement.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR MEMBERS COVERED BY THE BALLOTED AGREEMENTS?
We are finalising drafting of the new provisions for inclusion in the Agreements. We will then need to check the full replacement Agreements to ensure they are all accurate. The Agreements will then be signed by the parties and the paperwork completed for lodgement. The lodgement is the responsibility of GSLR. The payment will not be made before the new year.
THANK YOU AND WELL DONE
Thank you and well done to members covered under these Agreements. We acknowledge that the larger fight for public sector wages is far from over. The gains made in this Agreement have been hard-fought and put us in a better position to defeat restrictive wages caps in 2023 and bargain more fairly in 2024. We look forward to building on the progress we've made with members in the new year.
DECEMBER 2022
Outstanding Offers for Your Union Agreement 2022
On Wednesday, 23 November we received an offer for the Public Sector CSA Agreement and subsequently received offers for two other satellite agreements (Department of Education CSA Agreement, and Insurance Commission of WA CSA Agreement).
Offers for the following agreements are still outstanding:
- Department of Justice (Jury Officers) CSA Agreement
- Electorate and Research Employees CSA Agreement
- Department of Justice (Youth Custodial Officers) CSA Agreement
- Disability Services Commission (Social Trainers) CSA Agreement
Our bargaining teams have been pressuring Departments and Government Sector Labour Relations (GSLR) to produce an offer before the end of the year, but it is not likely that they will meet the deadline.
This means that we will need to await an offer for delegates and members to consider into the new year. As soon as we receive an offer for any of these Agreements, we will contact delegates from within the appropriate coverage to discuss balloting members.
Don’t have a delegate? Speak to your colleagues about nominating a workplace delegate now.
For any other feedback, let us know at [email protected].
DECEMBER 2022
Delegates and Council vote to open ballot next week!
On Friday, 2 December delegates met up to discuss the latest offer for the Public Sector CSA Agreement. All major agencies and industry groups were well represented by delegates representing Schools, ICWA and Jury Officers.
Delegates overwhelmingly recommended that the offer received on 23 November 2022 be put to a ballot of members, with a majority of 87% voting in favour of giving members the opportunity to have their say and vote for their pay and conditions. Feedback was presented to CPSU/CSA Council that afternoon. Council endorsed the recommendation of delegates to put the new offer for your Public Sector CSA Agreement to ballot.
Communications have been sent to members covered by Public Sector CSA Agreement, Department of Education (School Support Officers) CSA Agreement, and Insurance Commission of WA CSA Agreement. Members under these agreements are invited to vote to either ACCEPT or REJECT the offer for each agreement respectively, starting Wednesday, 7 December 2022 from 9am.
WHAT NOW?
Only members will be able to vote on offers made for these agreements. If you know someone who has an opinion on the offer, and isn’t a member, the message is simple… join the union.
NOVEMBER 2022
Public Sector CSA Agreement Offer Received!
On Wednesday, 23 November we finally received an offer from GSLR and the McGowan government for the Public Sector CSA Agreement and Department of Education (School Support Officers) CSA Agreement. On the following Monday, 28 November we received another offer for the Insurance Commission of WA Agreement. We’ve come a long way this year and it is the power of our membership that got us here – without you we would not have successfully secured a better offer for your pay and conditions.
In short, the offer is for a two-year term which provides the following:
- $60 per week or 3.0% per annum (whichever is greater) effective on and from 13 June 2022
- $60 per week or 3.0% per annum (whichever is greater) effective on and from 13 June 2023
- Increases will be pro-rata for part-time and casual employees
- One-off $3,000 pro-rata cost of living payment
- Salary increases will be back-paid to 13 June 2022
We are also working closely with departments to obtain offers for:
- Electorate and Research Employees CSA Agreement
- Department of Justice (Youth Custodial Officers) CSA Agreement
- Department of Communities (Family Support Officers) CSA Agreement
- Disability Services Commission (Social Trainers) CSA Agreement
We have sent communications to members and delegates under the Public Sector CSA Agreement, Department of Education (School Support Officers) CSA Agreement and Insurance Commission of WA Agreement of conditions improvements and a summary analysis of the offers.
WHAT'S NEXT?
We will be holding an urgent delegate meeting to discuss the new offer on Friday, 2 December at 12pm.
Speak to your delegate about the offer and they will bring your feedback to the meeting, where they’ll make a decision on whether to recommend the offer to Council.
Council will then determine if the offer should be put to the vote of members – so it is vital that you let your delegates know how you want to be represented in these decisions.
Don’t have a delegate? Speak to your colleagues about nominating a workplace delegate now.
For any other feedback, let us know at [email protected].
SEPTEMBER 2022
Update on Wages Policy
On Wednesday, 14 September ABC News published a story about an update to the McGowan Government’s Wages Policy. This is the third improvement as the continued threat of strike action and pressure from the Public Sector Alliance shift in the McGowan Government's Wages Policy.
The new policy offers:
- A $3120 flat rate increase for each year of the 2 year agreement for those earning less than $104,000 per annum;
- 3% for each year of the 2 year agreement for those earning $104,000 and above;
- Plus a $3,000 payment in the first year.
This is a shift to Wages Policy, not an offer. This update does not constitute a formal offer for Your Union Agreement, nor the agreement of your Union to such an outcome.
***
IN THE MEDIA:
"Whether the shift is good enough is a matter for our membership to consider carefully, and they will be able to have their say in the coming days.
"We continue to be frustrated by the government's process. We want a return to genuine bargaining, not the continual updating of wages policy to set new wage caps.
"Wages Policy itself does not constitute an actual pay offer from Government, and we will wait until our membership has a formal offer on the table before making any decisions.
– Rikki Hendon, Branch Secretary. 14 September 2022.
Read the full coverage on ABC News.
***
What can members do now?
Register our YUA22 Online Members Briefing on Wednesday, 28 September at 12:00pm to find out what you need to know about how this impacts you. Have your say on how we respond to the update on Government's Wages Policy.
AUGUST 2022
Short-term relief... without real wage growth
Yesterday Premier Mark McGowan announced a change to his Government’s Wages Policy. This is the second improvement in the Government’s position in seven months in the face of sustained pressure from Public Sector Alliance union members.
Instead of pay rises of 2.75% per annum, the new Policy offers:
- 3 per cent per annum for the next two years; and
- a $2,500 sign on bonus.
The Premier has been quick to highlight the improved outcomes under the first year of the new Policy. However, the sign-on bonus is a one-off payment, which means the new Policy offers you only short-term relief whilst providing woefully inadequate increases to your pay packet [Link to PDF] in the second year of any Agreement.
Worse still, the Policy sends the salaries of the lowest paid public sector workers backwards in 2023.
“We’ve been very clear throughout that a one-off payment is not
a preferable way of dealing with things. We believe that to keep
up with the cost of living year on year that you need to actually
have pay increases that compound on each other.”
Rikki Hendon, Branch Secretary
31 July 2022
Targeting people who are desperate to make ends meet now with an immediate sugar hit that undermines their ability to keep up with the cost of living in the future is shameful.
Mark McGowan announced the Policy on his Facebook page on a Sunday morning, and today it has been communicated by some public sector employers to workers as a fait accompli. To be clear, this announcement does not constitute a formal offer for Your Union Agreement, nor the agreement of your Union to such an outcome. This approach disrespects all public sector workers and undermines the integrity of genuine good faith bargaining.
The coffers are full with a $5.7b surplus but, in the face of the nation’s highest rate of inflation, Western Australians are still left begging for relief. This policy update is an insult to public sector workers that leaves everyone behind and sells out the lowest paid workers first.
It is time to fight for a fair deal that doesn’t leave you and your family behind.
Are you ready?
IN THE MEDIA:
“But for many public sector workers — police, firefighters, child protection workers, prison officers — they’ve been going backwards for five years and this policy will ensure that they continue to go backwards,” said Owen Whittle.
“One-off cash payments are no substitute for real base wage increases for public sector workers. The one-off cash payment will help workers meet immediate cost-of-living pressures, but it will mean in future years they continue to go backwards."
“Cost-of-living pressures have to be met day-after-day. One-off cash payments are just that — one-off cash payments.”
- Owen Whittle, UnionsWA Secretary The West 1 August 2022
Read the full story on The West (pay wall may apply).
***
The increase does not keep pace with inflation and unions were not consulted on the latest wages policy, the state’s third in less than a year, UnionsWA Secretary Owen Whittle said.
“No one is predicting that inflation will go backwards,” he said.
“Unions will take time to work with our members and delegates to respond more fully to the McGowan government’s changed policy.”
Read the full story on WA Today.
***
CPSU/CSA secretary Rikki Hendon said it remained to be seen whether Government's latest changes to their Wages Policy would satisfy the workforce.
“It might represent a significant improvement in the first year for this agreement, [but] when we look at the second year, because this $2500 top-up doesn’t flow on to the second year, we’re concerned that the second year won’t keep up with the cost of living,”
“We believe that to keep up with the cost of living year on year, you need to actually have pay increases that compound on each other,”
"Ultimately, it will be up to them [public sector union members] to decide,"
Watch the full report here.
***
CPSU/CSA secretary Rikki Hendon said the McGowan government was out of touch with the pressures facing workers and their families.
“CPI is the best read we have on how much everyday costs are rising, and the government ignores it at their peril,” she said on Wednesday.
“They’re essentially saying ‘we’re happy for you to work hard for this state, run our critical community services, work through a pandemic, but continue to fall further and further behind at home’.”
Read the full story on Perth Now.
JULY 2022
Australia's June Qtr CPI has been released with Perth, once again, topping the nation at 7.4% year-on-year.
In response to the 2022 June Quarter CPI figures, CPSU/CSA Secretary Rikki Hendon says the McGowan Government is out of touch with the pressure WA public sector workers and their families are under to keep up with the cost of living.
"Just days after releasing a tax-payer-funded Deloitte report into how "inexpensive" it is to live here, Premier Mark McGowan is faced with categoric proof that the cost-of-living has skyrocketed in WA."
"Western Australians rely on fair pay increases to keep up with the cost of living, but the McGowan Government is letting down those who deliver our public services by offering a woefully inadequate 2.75%."
"They're essentially saying we're happy for you to work hard for this state, run our critical community services, work through a pandemic, but continue to fall further and further behind at home," she said.
What can members do now?
Showing a strong force of membership is our greatest tool for securing better conditions and a wages policy that keeps pace with the rising costs of living.
1. Register for tomorrow's lunchtime Online Members Meeting.
2. Register for the Public Sector Rally on August 17.
3. Invite a friend to join.
Support Your Union Agreement and stand united with our Public Sector Alliance partners.
Ten unions, one voice. WA needs a pay rise.
JUNE 2022
Offer Received 4 Days Before Expiry
On Tuesday, 7 June we finally received the first offer for Your Union Agreement from Government. This offer was made a mere four working days ahead of the current Agreement's expiry on 13 June 2022.
Your CPSU/CSA Bargaining Team is currently analysing the detail of the offer, but what is clear upfront is that it only provides 2.75% per annum pay increases. With Perth CPI coming in at 7.6% for the March 2022 quarter and the RBA today announcing an interest rate hike that will likely see mortgage repayments rise, this pay offer falls well short of the cost of living.
For the privilege of this paltry pay increase, Government wants you to cede power to your employer to change your hours of work.
Members will meet on Tuesday, 14 June to vote on the next steps in the campaign and discuss action to secure a better offer from Government.
Building and exercising the collective power of our members is critical to winning improvements to pay and conditions. When we speak up together, we protect one another and improve our capacity to win.
The most important task all members can do to break Wages Policy and strengthen our campaign for better pay and conditions is ask a colleague to join.
Look out for campaign emails for important updates and information.
MAY 2022
Paint the town red with our new Public Sector Alliance poster!
What to do with your PSA Public Support Poster
Choose a local cafe, deli or business that members and workers in your area frequent.
Ask the business if they would be able to put the poster up in their window to show their support for the public sector workers and our campaign.
If they agree, offer to check-in and tag their business on your social media with a photo of the poster. This will benefit the local business by encouraging other pubic sector workers to choose their business. Take a photo of the poster and tag their business, @cpsucsa and our campaign hashtags #yua22 #keepyourpromisepremier #waneedsapayrise on your preferred platform (Facebook, Instagram).
Let us know where other members can support local businesses who support our campaign by emailing [email protected]
FEBRUARY 2022
Your Union Agreement 22 Claim has officially been lodged!
On Monday 28 February, the CPSU/CSA formally lodged the log of claims for Your Union Agreement 2022 with Government.
It includes a pay claim that recognises your contribution to our state throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of years of restrictive wages policies, and the need for you to see real wage growth moving forward:
The greater of 4% pa or Perth CPI* + 0.75% in the first year; and
The greater of 4% pa or Perth CPI* + 0.5% in the remaining year(s) of the Agreement.
*For the March Qtr in which year it applies
Our claim also seeks new and improved conditions, which were identified as priorities by thousands of CPSU/CSA members in our recent Your Union Agreement survey and reflect the changing landscape of work in a world that is continually adjusting to the pandemic and its impact on our lives.
- Infectious Diseases Leave as a new clause enshrined in your Agreement so that it cannot be withdrawn without the consent of the Union or workers.
- Additional Personal Leave to care for yourself and/or others experiencing mental health challenges.
- Strengthened Working From Home provisions that limit your employer’s discretion to refuse your request to work from home.
- A new clause articulating your Right to Disconnect from work outside your specified hours of availability (with the exception of emergency situations or genuine welfare matters), and requiring your employer not to contact you or expect you to respond to emails or phone calls outside your hours of work.
Download the claim in full here.
In a letter sent to workers across the sector last December, Premier Mark McGowan recognised the heavy lifting of public sector workers as contributing to budget repair and keeping our state safe throughout the pandemic. He also said:
The new wages policy provides public sector unions with a choice, by industrial agreement, of a two year setting that offers above-CPI wage increases…
Your Union Agreement claim holds him to his word. With Perth CPI coming in at 5.7% for the most recent financial quarter, the actual pay increases provided for in the new wages policy fall short of delivering real wage growth for public sector workers. The pay rises proposed in our claim will bring members closer to recovering from years of suppressed wages.
Together, we will use our member power to hold the Premier to his promise and bargain for an Agreement that moves your pay and conditions forward.
Download the claim in full here.
FEBRUARY 2022
We see your Wages Policy, and raise you a December Qtr CPI
In December, the Premier proudly thanked public sector workers in a letter that also put forward Government's new Wages Policy position on pay. There is one key sentence we wish to draw your attention to:
"The new wages policy provides public sector unions with a choice, by industrial agreement,
of a two year setting that offers above-CPI wage increases…”
Get ready to campaign and bargain…starting with holding the Premier to his word. Share Your Union Agreement progress with colleagues, friends and family.
DECEMBER 2021
Statement: Wages Policy Falls Short for Members
The 2021/22 Mid-Year Review, delivered by Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan this afternoon, has revealed critical information about the WA State Government’s new wages policy for public sector workers.
What has been announced today does not provide the new Government wages policy in full. The devil will be in the detail.
Other coverage:
Public sector pay rise, COVID isolation payment revealed in WA mid-year economic review (ABC)
WA public service in for pay rise, union cautious on details (The Mandarin)
NOVEMBER 2021
Public Sector Alliance Mass Members Meeting
Public Sector Union Members joined forces at Perth Town Hall to call for an end to wages policy and restrictive bargaining caps.
NOVEMBER 2021
CPSU/CSA Wages Policy Submission
A Proud, Productive Public Sector Workforce — The Community and Public Sector Union/The Civil Service Association of Western Australia Incorporated (CPSU/CSA) Submission to the 2021 WA State Government Wages Policy Review is now available.
OCTOBER 2021
WA Deserves A Pay Rise
Member participation in Your Union Agreement campaign this year has been incredible:
- More than 55 Paid Union Meetings run by members and delegates
- More than 500 Members have attended meetings
- Dozens of new members joining the union and new delegates stepping up every day
SEPTEMBER 2021
Your Union Agreement 2021 has been registered!
Instructions will now be sent to your employer to process your backpay and implement your pay rise.
To confirm the exact date your pay rise and lump sum back payment will go through, please check with your payroll department.
The registration of the Agreement also means that you will be able to immediately benefit from improved provisions, such as the new conversion to permanency clause. Read more.
SEPTEMBER 2021
State Budget: Wages Policy Gone
Union members have greeted the scrapping of the McGowan government’s outdated and restrictive Wages Policy with enthusiasm.
CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary Rikki Hendon has welcomed the government’s decision to end its policy of wage suppression and bring forward a review of government wages policy.
"The collective might of public sector union members has brought an end to five years of the $1000 pay cap."
SEPTEMBER 2021
YUA 2021 Agreement Update
Your Public Sector CSA Agreement 2021 has been signed and sent to the WA Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) for registration.
This means that members under this agreement are one step closer to receiving their pay increases, backdated to 13 June 2021.
Conditions improvements, including the new 'conversion to permanency' mechanism will come into effect immediately upon registration.
JUNE 2021
Unions launch Public Sector Alliance
WA's biggest Unions have officially launched The Public Sector Alliance to break wages policy and bring back fair and true bargaining power to the public sector.
The Alliance brings together your Union, the CPSU/CSA, alongside members from SSTUWA, Health Services Union, WA Prison Officers Union, and United Workers Union to name a few.
This is the biggest joining of Unions for collective action in WA, and sends a powerful message to the McGowan government that Wages Policy will not stand.
MAY 2021
YUA 2021 Agreement Update
The 12-month agreement which replaces the 2019-2021 Public Sector CSA Agreement is in the final stages of drafting. Members will receive updates as the agreement moves towards final registration
FEBRUARY 2021
Offer received from government to extend Your Union Agreement by 12 months
This extension was recommended by your CPSU/CSA Delegates and secures a 12-month agreement and a $1000 per annum pro rata pay-rise from June this year.
The power of 2022 Public Sector Alliance
Negotiating at the same time as other unions will enable us to join together and utilise our greater collective power to fight for better conditions and break wages policy.
Find out more about the power of 2022
Ballot timeline
Acceptance of this offer will be subject to a ballot and drafting.
The offer locks in:
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$1000 pay rise per annum pro-rata commencing June 2021.
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Ongoing public sector reviews, including reviews into labour-hire and your discounted public transport scheme
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A new ongoing "Pathway to Permanency" conversion process for contract and casual workers, which will be embedded into your Agreement
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A new timeline for bargaining, so public sector Unions can join together and fight wages policy in 2022.
Get the full story on how we're locking in our wins.
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