CPSU wrote to the State Government in January 2006 requesting the extension provision that's provided in the Victorian Public Service Agreement 2004 be exercised early to clear up any possible doubt about the enforceability of all our entitlements following a decision of the Federal Court in late 2005.
The extension option was included in VPSA 2004 by CPSU to provide protection for members by extending the duration of the Agreement if required. CPSU received advice in January that the potential problems arising from the recent Federal Court decision (FSU v CommSec) were serious and this concurred with legal advice the State Government subsequently obtained. The Federal Court decision, which did NOT involve our union or the Government, potentially impacts on all our entitlements and new career structures.
CPSU requested this extension take the form of a new three (3) year agreement because of the pending changes to federal industrial relations law [WorkChoices].
The State Government has agreed to our request and Departments/Agencies will have just circulated the proposed new Victorian Public Service Agreement 2006 and a joint explanatory statement to all PS employees for consideration prior to ballot.
VPSA 2006 includes all the entitlements of VPSA 2004 and does the following; - VPSA 2006 will incorporate the 3% to be paid on 1 October 2006 from VPSA 2004.
- VPSA 2006 will adjust the 1.5% to be paid on 1 September 2007 from VPSA 2004 to a 3% payment to be paid on 1 October 2007.
- VPSA 2006 will pay a further 3% payment on 1 October 2008.
- VPSA 2006 will end on 1 March 2009 with parties to recommence negotiations no later than three (3) months from expiration.
- Effectively VPSA 2004 will be extended for a further 17 months for an additional 4.5% as VPSA 2006.
- All Career Structure(s) have been included and progression payment cycles will continue and progression payments are in addition to the pay rises above.
- All previous variation agreements are included.
- All conditions are protected.
- Salary sacrifice to State Government defined benefit schemes has been included.
- Paid adoption leave at 14 weeks, previously by administrative arrangement, has been included.
- VPSA 2006 has been crafted to comply with High Court re: Electrolux.
- Adjustments that provide for additional payments or arrangements above VPSA 2006 can be made as administrative arrangements during the life of VPSA 2006 once Employer, CPSU, Employee agreement is made.
All VPSA 2006 documentation is available by clicking on the links below as well as on your Department/Agency Intranet.
CPSU commends the new proposed Agreement 2006 to members as we must act now to protect the full range of agreed entitlements including all new Career Structures in an enforceable document under the current federal law.
KAREN BATT
CPSU Victorian Branch Secretary
14 February 2006
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