CPSU Victoria are the Community and Public Sector Union who represent the Victorian Public Service (VPS) and related agencies.

Joining CPSU is about improving the working environment for members. Rates of pay, career structures and employment conditions are all based within the Award and Agreements negotiated by unions. For example, CPSU negotiated the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement that ensures your wage increases each year. By joining CPSU you are ensuring you have a team behind you to help negotiate these wages and conditions. The more members our union has the stronger our negotiation position and better off every worker is.

CPSU membership is also protection for your most important asset-your job. With employment and working conditions becoming less secure every day, union membership is an essential way to ensure you have immediate access to experienced industrial advisors and their advice when you need it most. CPSU membership gives you access to our Industrial Specialists so when you have questions about your rights and entitlements, you know who to call. If you ever feel like your workplace is acting improperly or not giving you the correct wage or conditions you can contact us and our team and let us help you ensure you are treated fairly.

Joining us also gives you access to exclusive training and development opportunities. From health and safety courses, workplace gender equality training to the popular public sector courses in areas such as administration or policy and project work. Being a member gives you access to multiple opportunities to develop and gain an edge in a competitive job market.

Here are some things CPSU can assist current members with:

 Advice

CPSU provides a free phone service for members who simply want advice on their rights and entitlements. Sometimes, things don't seem right, and a quick phone call to the Union can set things right.

Discrimination
CPSU is well-versed in this area of industrial law. We have represented many people in the state and federal tribunals.

Exclusive service
CPSU respects the rights of our existing membership to have an exclusive service.

General Protections
The Fair Work Act governs your rights at work. We take breaches of the Fair Work Act to the Fair Work Commission or the court.

General & selection grievances
VPS employees have a right to be treated fairly and reasonably. CPSU is highly skilled in advocating on your behalf before a Hearing Officer or Hearing Panel.

Pay and entitlements
Not sure you're being paid correctly? CPSU has the expertise to assist, whether it be advice or direct representation. This may be anything to do with pay anomalies through to grievances on amending hours of work for part-timers.

Unfair dismissal
Sometimes, management get it wrong. We assess your case to see if you have rights to protect, and can advocate on your behalf before the Fair Work Commission.

Use our lawyer
CPSU membership is much cheaper than paying for your own private lawyer. Appointments require prior approval from CPSU.

Workplace bullying
We assist you through every step of the bullying complaint through to the outcome of the investigation process.

Misconduct and other processes
Workplace protection, advice and representation regarding misconduct allegations and investigations.

Q&A

How do I know if CPSU Victoria covers my work area?
A list of the workplaces we cover can be found here.

Will my employer know if I become a member?
Your employer will not be notified when you become a member and you can choose to not disclose this information to your employer.

Does the union support me if I am not a member?
CPSU only provides advice and representation to its members but help negotiate work conditions, entitlements and pay, and policies that can benefit every employee in a workplace.

How much does it cost to join the union and what is it used for?
Union dues are based off how much you earn, which you can check on our joining page. The money goes towards representing members in bargaining and negotiating processes, providing legal representation and running campaigns to drive policy change, to name a few.

Who can I talk to if I want to find out more?
The best person to talk to is your workplace delegate or your CPSU Organiser. You can also contact our membership team, if you have questions about becoming a member or to find out who your Organiser is.

What is the role of an Organiser?
Organisers (also called Industrial Organisers) are industrial experts employed by CPSU and focused on building union strength and solving collective or systemic issues in workplaces. Examples of this include structural change and enterprise bargaining. Organisers primarily work with and advise union delegates and groups of members on how to organise for a stronger union and how to achieve the best outcomes in their workplaces. Organisers may assist individual members with grievances, but this will depend on the circumstances of the member and the workplace. Individual grievances are usually handled by the Union's Entitlements and Compliance Team.

What is the role of a delegate?
Delegates are union members who have been selected by the union to undertake some of its work and hold special responsibilities. The work delegates do may vary from workplace to workplace, depending on the needs of union members and the experience of the delegate. However, all delegates have a role in representing and advocating for union members' collective interests and building union membership. Delegates may also give advice and support to individual members who are having a problem at work. Every workplace should have at least one delegate, and ideally a group of delegates who work together to improve the workplace for all members.