CPSU has commenced the legal process to initiate protected industrial action across the Victorian Public Service.

This has become necessary because negotiations with the new Government over a wage increase has reached an impasse.

After months of talks, it has become clear that the Government will not offer anything above 2.5% annual salary increases despite the cost of living currently rising at 3.6% per annum.

The Government is only interested in reaching agreement if it’s on their terms which means taking a real wage cut if their 2.5% per annum wage offer is accepted.

A Protected Action Ballot has now been ordered by Fair Work Australia following our evidence about the nature of the negotiations with the Government.

Protected industrial action can only apply to CPSU members who are covered by our Public Service Agreement 2009.

Other CPSU members are not affected and not involved at this time.

The AEC will conduct the ballot whereby members will vote on taking industrial action.

Only Union members can vote, and only Union members can participate in the Action which will be protected under the federal Fair Work legislation.

Members will soon be sent a ballot paper from the Australian Electoral Commission asking if you endorse taking industrial action in support of reaching a new Enterprise Agreement.

The question will only require one simple YES or NO answer.

 

- VOTE YES & SAY 2.5% IS NOT 4 ME -

Vote YES to send a message to the Government that its 2.5% p.a. is not good enough.

Vote YES to give our union negotiators the option of taking the specified industrial action should it be necessary.

Voting YES means that if industrial action is necessary it is legal.

The Protected Action proposed by CPSU will take the form of bans and stoppages, and a full list will be on the ballot paper.

Actions available to take are wide ranging and comprehensive and some are generic to all and some are Agency and/or occupation specific.

Reading our list of proposed action which may apply to you will be self evident.

Fair Work Australia’s Decision and the list of our proposed actions in its Order is available here.

http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/PABO-FAIRWORK-1609-DECISION.pdf or http://goo.gl/KB9cm

http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/PABO-FAIRWORK-1609-ACTION-ORDER.pdf or http://goo.gl/7pNe4

The Protected Action Ballot requires that 50% of our members must vote, and at least 50% of those who vote, must vote ‘YES’, in order for the ballot to be successful.

CPSU urges all members to vote, and to vote ‘YES’ to help secure a decent pay rise.

Organise Your Workplace NOW.

If members have more questions please visit our website or contact your CPSU Organiser on 9639 1822 or toll free on 1800 810 153.

  ** Our Virtual Campaign **

Call on the Government to bargain in good faith and adequately fund public services.

Follow all our bargaining updates on twitter -

 - CPSU_Vic #baillieubargaining

Visit http://www.cpsuvic.org for all the bargaining information.

Please distribute this bulletin and ask your colleagues to join CPSU to have their voice heard and their views represented.

TOGETHER WE DO BETTER!

http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/Work-Can-Change-membership-flyer.pdf
http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/memform.pdf

 
KAREN BATT
CPSU Victorian Branch Secretary

19 September 2011