Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a fixture in workplaces across various sectors, including the Victorian public sector. This technological wave promises to bring about significant changes, enhancing efficiency and decision-making processes. However, with these advancements come critical concerns that need careful management to ensure a fair and equitable work environment.Navigating Risks and Embracing OpportunitiesA recent survey conducted by CPSU Victoria sheds light on the... -->

The office of Births, Deaths and Marriages is currently 100% Victorian Government owned.  That means we all own it, as we should, because of the detailed personal data about our lives that we have stored there, but the Government is considering selling it off to the private sector.The office is critical to all our lives as it records and manages the most intimate personal details of all Victorians.A potential sale is bad news for Victorians for a number of reasons:It will hand over the personal... -->

National NAIDOC Week held across Australia in the first week of July each year, celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It's an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebration of the oldest continuous living cultures on earth. How are you celebrating NAIDOC week? We've a few ideas to get you started.🧐 Learn the history of NAIDOC 🔗 Download the Support... -->

BREAKING NEWSVPS 2024 EA BallotA huge turnout has delivered a resounding YES•    70% of eligible voters voted •    Total votes cast: 39,342 •    Yes: 36,340  92.4% The proposed Agreement will now be lodged with Fair Work for their endorsement and all the dollars under the deal will flow shortly after.Congratulations for the work you did in your workplaces to achieve this strong vote.KAREN BATTCPSU Victorian Branch Secretary... -->

Over 31,000 of our VPS workmates have already had their say about their pay.This opportunity only comes around every 4 years so if you haven't had your say yet then isn't it time you voted?Ballot closes Friday night. If you haven't received your vote link which was sent to your work email then contact GoVote at support@govote.com.au or via phone at 1800 919 553.... -->

Our new VPS 2024 Agreement also delivers a comprehensive boost to VPS conditions• New leave entitlement of 5 days to recognise an employee’s health around reproductive rights, menstruation, and menopause.• Ensuring superannuation payments will be made on Primary Caregiver Parental Leave up to 104 weeks (from 52 weeks) and allowing for shift workers on Primary Caregiver or Additional Secondary Caregiver Parental Leave to receive shift penalties they would have received had they not been on ... -->

CPSU and Victoria signed a head of agreement that will deliver improved salaries and new conditions over the next four years.The proposed Agreement is now being circulated to VPS employees by employing agencies.    It’s time now to vote ‘YES’YES for a BOOST to salaries and a $5,600 cost of living cash paymentYES for a BOOST to entitlementsYES for Alternative Ways of Working feasibilities to improve work/life balanceYES for a BOOST to enforcement of common policiesSummary of the salary a... -->

On this day, 17 June 1885, 1000 colonial civil servants crammed into the Athenaeum Theatre in Collins Street to form a union, the Victorian Public Service Association, our Union. “Jack’s as good as his masters” came the cry from all in the hall that day when attempts to delay the vote was soundly defeated and the union was formed. Victoria’s chief astronomer and respected scientist Robert John (James) Ellery was elected the 1st President by acclamation. Our union already had over 5,00... -->

The power of collective action and activism demonstrated in the successful campaign at SERCO Traffic Camera Services has been recognised with an ACTU Award. CPSU Vic Organiser Lisa Pearce was named Organiser of the Year at the triennial ACTU Congress in Adelaide, for her work organising and supporting delegates and members at SERCO. Through strategic organisation of delegate activists, unwavering determination of members, and a commitment to a David and Goliath battle, 190 workers took on the mu... -->

CPSU has notified G4S that their inferior pay and entitlement offer has been overwhelmingly rejected and members intend to commence protected action.  It is important that members only take the protected actions that have been notified which are listed below.Only members of the Community and Public Sector Union are protected when taking these protected industrial actions.The actions notified to date include:On 21 May 2024, each Relevant Employee will engage in an Indefinite ban in the form of c... -->

The Labor Government’s 2024 Budget is a good budget for working people, with wages forecast to rise, commitments to pay increases in the care economy, cost-of-living support on top of the July 1 tax cuts, and a historic commitment to the jobs we need, including manufacturing jobs in Australia.  Higher wages are the centrepiece of the Federal Budget with real wages going up by 4 percent for this financial year the same amount that they went up in total over the 10 years of the Coalition Govern... -->

CPSU believes striking the balance by generating surpluses to fund big build borrowings while investing in skills to continue delivering vital public services to a growing population during workforce shortages is an achievement and should be stated. As Victoria's population soars its a huge relief for public services that, after contributing $4-5bill in savings over the last two years, there's no further imposition in this budget.  There's some stings though including;WIV $8.02mil... -->

Employees classified at VPS Grade 5 and above may be expected to undertake reasonable additional hours to support service delivery.  New Overtime arrangements for these employees will be included in the Best Practice Employment Commitment (BPEC) and consequential amendments will be made to clause 41 (reasonable hours of work) of the Agreement to give effect to the BPEC commitment.Overtime (certain provisions), hours of work, and workload review clauses in the Agreement will apply.New guidance i... -->

A new reproductive health leave clause providing five days non-cumulative paid leave for full-time employees, pro-rata for part-time employees will be included in the proposed new Victorian Public Service Agreement 2024.Workers can use the leave when they are unable to work because of a reproductive health reason, or when they are receiving treatment for endometriosis or poly cystic ovary syndrome, menopause or menstruation, complications associated with a pregnancy, or if they are receiving fer... -->

Like all employers in Victoria, the VPS must ensure it has modern and flexible work arrangements which both attract and retain talent in the public service and support service delivery to the Victorian community.To meet current and future workforce and service delivery challenges, the parties have agreed to a joint feasibility study to explore how alternative ways of work could be implemented in a VPS context.The joint intent of this commitment is to work together to identify alternative ways of... -->

CPSU and Victoria have today signed a heads of agreement that will deliver improved salaries and new conditions over the next four years.Pay Increases•    12.55% salary increase over life of Agreement paid in 3% annual instalments from 1 May of each year.•    Mobility Allowance (MA) superable payments retained (1.25% calculated at the top of Grade) paid 1st July each year.•    One off $5,600 lump sum cost of living cash payment per full time employee to be paid as soon as possible... -->

After negotiations over the last two weeks to settle the outstanding items arising from a suggested way forward by the independent bargaining facilitator Julius Roe, the respective negotiating teams will now recommend that a head of Agreement can be entered into for a four-year Agreement between Victoria and CPSU that locks in payment dates and condition improvements.CPSU’s Victorian Branch Council is scheduled for Monday afternoon to endorse this way forward.Pay quanta and entitlement improve... -->

PowerPoint slides from our member info sessions this week are available along with a recording of Briefing #2 (jump to 3.45 for session start)We should have more progress to report to members early to mid next week.  PowerPoint summary;Money - On the table now is 3% p.a., with effective dates to be finalised if there’s an in–principle agreement reached, plus from VPS 2020 the 1.25% superable mobility allowance payment continues which is calculated at top of grade from 1st July each year, pl... -->

The State Labor Government has ignored the recommendations of a Legislative Council inquiry to re-open consultations and instead has struck a deal with the Liberal and National Party Opposition to pass legislation overnight to scuttle the WorkCover scheme. CPSU said that the Labor Government proceeding to slash access to compensation for workers suffering mental injury and ending support for those workers already with accepted claims after 130 weeks with Liberal support is a "devastating decisio... -->

In the Victorian Public Service 59% are women, doing amazing and important work to support Victorians, and that’s something to celebrate. However, despite representing the majority of workers, many women in the public service are still falling behind their male colleagues in terms of pay, progression and promotion. So, while we celebrate VPS women and their achievements on International Women’s Day, it’s also important to remind the State of Victoria it is time to address inherent biases... -->

ACTU Executive calls for increased action to ensure an urgent and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.  The ACTU Executive resolution on Gaza was endorsed by our Victorian Branch Council at its last meeting in February.... -->

Our negotiating team is working hard to squeeze out the best possible outcome in the context of the government’s pay policy and are continuing negotiations on smaller changes to improve the Agreement.Key issues that the union remains focused on include:•    Salary Increases – Wages policy provides 3% per annum pay increases, plus CPSU has confirmed the mobility allowance payment from VPS Agreement 2020 of 1.25% every year remains from 1st July 2024 and would apply also in the 2025, 2026... -->

The union movement has achieved some of the very big reforms that we set our sights on eight years ago that will fundamentally change workers’ rights for the better as well as fixing some of the issues that were outstanding with the Closing Loopholes Bill Mark 2 passing the Senate. The big ticket items are:1.    A definition of “employee” that overturns regressive High Court decisions which opened a path out of employment rights for all workers2.    A stronger definition of casual wo... -->

Why are we bargaining?Improving the resources available to build better public services like pay, access to leave, career opportunities and allowances are all spelled out in our Victorian Public Service Agreement negotiated between CPSU and the Vic Government.Negotiations for our next agreement are underway now and former Fair Work Commissioner Julius Roe has been brought in as an independent facilitator to assist the parties.Get on board with CPSU to have your voice heard an... -->

Workers received a major Christmas present with the Albanese Government securing the support of the Greens, Lydia Thorpe, David Pocock, and the Jacqui Lambie Network in the Senate to pass the first Closing Loopholes Bill.  These changes include:New rights for labour hire workers (same job, same pay)Criminalising and increasing fines for wage theft. Strong new rights for workplace delegatesStronger workplace safety laws, including industrial manslaughter and better rights for injured w... -->