Voluntary Targeted Severance Scheme a disappointment

Your Union has publicly expressed disappointment in the McGowan Government’s decision to cut 3000 jobs from the public sector, and has raised concerns about the impact of these significant job cuts on workloads and the delivery of valued services. 

The McGowan Government announced 3 000 targeted voluntary severances as part the 2017/18 State Budget it delivered on Thursday 7 September. 

Where offers of severance are made to and accepted by employees under this scheme, the substantive position they occupied must be abolished and the employee is not to be replaced. Employees who express interest and accept an offer of severance under this scheme will be required to leave the sector no later than 31 March 2018.

Materials made available on the Public Sector Commission website states that “priority will be given to employees affected by Machinery of Government changes.”

The Voluntary Targeted Separation Scheme for Public Sector Renewal 2017 document at the link above contains further information about what agency CEOs must consider in determining whether an offer of voluntary severance can be made to an employee and which groups of public sector officers CEOs are authorised to make an offer to.

The CPSU/CSA understands that some members have already begun to receive more specific communications about how their agencies will be implementing the TVSS.

We have highlighted to the Government that structural changes are still far from finalised in most newly amalgamated departments, and may not be until after the 31 March 2018 end date for the VTSS.
This raises serious questions as to the extent to which the severances will ultimately be “targeted” as per the Government’s stated aim.

Hear more about what Branch Secretary Toni Walkington has said about Government cutting 3000 jobs from the public sector.