Monday 5 December 2022

Public Sector Agreement offer to go to Ballot of Membership

Following months of negotiations and industrial action, the CPSU/CSA Council has moved to ballot the membership on the pay and conditions offer it received for the Public Sector CSA Agreement on 23 November 2022.

The offer includes a pay offer consistent with the Government’s wages policy and a range of hard-fought wins on a range of conditions prioritised by members.

The CPSU/CSA Council resolved that the offer would be put to a ballot late on Friday 2 December in response to the overwhelming recommendation of a mass meeting of workplace delegates, which took place earlier in the afternoon.

CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary Rikki Hendon says she looks forward to the members having their say on the offer.

“This time last year, the Government’s wages policy was still to cap pay rises at $1000 per annum pro rata. 12 months on, the base-rate pay increase in the current offer is at least triple that quantum.

“The offer also contains conditions improvements that support public sector workplaces to be more healthy, flexible and inclusive, and reviews that open the door to making employment in the sector more attractive to both professional occupations and those considering work in the regions.

“We would not have this offer in front of us if not for the determination and solidarity of union members, who forced the Government to shift its position on wages for the better three times in less than a year.

“Whilst the Government's wages policy has shifted considerably, it still does not deliver all workers a pay rise that meets the current high cost of living. Regardless of the outcome of the ballot for this agreement, the larger fight for public sector wages is far from over.

"Ultimately, it is now up to our members to decide if the Government has shifted far enough or if they will reject the offer in favour of intensifying industrial action in early 2023.”

**ENDS**