Monday 17 June 2024
The Cook Government has rejected the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association’s (CPSU/CSA) bid for 30 days of Gender Affirmation Leave for Western Australia’s public sector workers, with no counter-proposal, leaving the WA public sector behind many other public institutions, such as universities, Local Governments and other state public sectors.
The CPSU/CSA sought thirty days of non-cumulative paid leave for gender affirmation each year for permanent and fixed-term employees, with a further 48 weeks unpaid available to all public sector workers employed under the Public Sector CSA Agreement, including casuals. This item was completely ignored in the Government's first offer to the Union for a replacement agreement, despite no concerns being raised with this item during the bargaining period.
CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary, Rikki Hendon, said this was a simple and measured opportunity for the Government to build supportive public sector workplaces for Western Australia's transgender and gender-diverse community and strongly urged the Government to reconsider.
“The CPSU/CSA was deeply disappointed not to see any form of gender affirmation leave in our first offer for a replacement to the Public Sector Civil Service Association Agreement 2022, an agreement which expired last week. Gender Affirmation Leave is increasingly becoming the norm in workplaces across the world, and goes a long way to foster a welcoming and inclusive workplace environment for transgender and gender-diverse workers.
“I strongly urge the Government, when they return to the bargaining table, to recognise the importance of providing Gender Affirmation Leave to public sector workers and reconsider this item. Ignoring this claim would see the WA Public Sector fall behind other public institutions and the private sector.
“Our members will now commence rolling campaign action across the state to build pressure on the Cook Government to deliver a pay and conditions offer that safeguards and supports our public services by making the public sector an employer of choice.”
ENDS
- The Public Sector Civil Service Association Agreement 2022 expires on Thursday, June 13th, 2024.
- This statement should be read in conjunction with PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS REJECT FIRST WAGES AND CONDITIONS OFFER AND COMMIT TO ROLLING ACTION
- The full offer from Government and the CPSU/CSA’s Log of Claims can be found on the union’s website.
- The CPSU/CSA covers 44,000 general public sector workers, one-quarter of the WA public sector, including child protection officers, youth custodial officers, park rangers, veterinary scientists and dental technicians.
- Note to Journalists: Please ensure the full acronym, “CPSU/CSA” when mentioning us. The CPSU/CSA and CPSU are separate organisations with the latter covering Commonwealth, ACT and NT public sector workers.
For more information or to arrange further comment from Branch Secretary Rikki Hendon, please contact CPSU/CSA Reception on 08 9323 3800 and ask for the Media and Stakeholder Engagement Officer.
