Friday 13 September 2024
Following months of powerful collective action by hundreds of public sector workers across the state of Western Australia, yesterday afternoon Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association (CPSU/CSA) workplace delegates recommended to their Council that the second offer from the Government for a replacement to the Public Sector Civil Service Association Agreement 2022 be put to a ballot of members, that recommendation was accepted by the Governing Council.
In comparison to the first offer, the second offer has seen improvements in pay, greater access to parental leave and permanency and significant improvements for regional public sector workers.
CPSU/CSA Acting Branch Secretary, Melanie Bray, said she welcomed the second and improved offer from the Cook Government, and it was now in the hands of the membership to decide if this offer is enough.
“This second and improved offer for pay and conditions from the Government last week would not have been on the table without the hundreds of public sector workers across our state, from the CBD to Kununurra and to Fremantle, taking visible and powerful collective action outside of their workplaces. Their action led to pay rises that will start to catch up from the years of restrictive wages caps and conditions that reflect a modern workplace and public sector.
“The offer is now in the hands of the public sector proud membership of the CPSU/CSA. It will be up to them to decide if they accept this offer for improved wages and conditions. That is their call, and their call alone, to make.
“While this offer has unfortunately not delivered on some of the progressive and important claims of our members, the conversation has well and truly begun. We look forward to continuing to progress these items in future rounds of bargaining, and though our collective union efforts continue the fight to improve the working lives of our members who deliver essential services to the state of Western Australia. .”
ENDS
- A summary of the offer in comparison to the original Log of Claims put forward in February 2024 is available.
- The ballot will open on Monday 16 September, 2024 for a period of two weeks.
- The union will make no further public comment until the ballot closes on Monday 30 September, where we will then hold a press conference to announce the results. Time and location will be advised closer to the date.
- 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. “CPSU” is typically used to refer to the Union that covers Commonwealth, ACT and NT public sector workers. We are related but separate organisations.
For more information or to arrange further comment from Acting Branch Secretary Melanie Bray, please contact CPSU/CSA Reception on 08 9323 3800 and ask for the Media and Stakeholder Engagement Officer.
