The Covid19 pandemic continued to have a significant impact on the union’s operations during 2020-2021 however our financial statements show a strong result was achieved. Since March 2021 the union has been required to operate remotely due to public health restrictions. Union employees and officials have been required to work from home. Workplace visits, meetings, negotiations, training, and dispute resolution processes have needed to be conducted remotely via various video meeting platforms including Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Work from the union office has only been possible for limited periods of time.

Monthly Branch Executive and Branch Council have been held via Zoom and via Onboard website for papers. Union elections were suspended by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). Uncontested Officer and Branch Council positions were able to be declared on 22 December 2020. Contested elections were concluded by 23 March 2021. Federal Council elections were concluded 21 July 2021.

During the year the union updated its phone system to VOIP to replace an obsolete phone system and give better functionality to facilitate remote working.

Victoria’s response to the Covid 19 pandemic has had a far reaching impact on the work of the union’s members and CPSU has been actively involved in representing members to address the challenges of responding to the pandemic.

Activities

CPSU and the Department of Justice and Community Safety have regular consulted about the quarantine hotel program as Victoria respond to the pandemic.

CPSU was successful in ensuring Prison Officers are recognised as essential workers in a critical industry during Covid response and their permits will reflect this while negotiating a higher duties payment for eligible prison officers and frontline youth justice staff who have completed specialist Infection Control and PPE training to either work within units dedicated to managing COVID inmates or where their role interacts with suspected or confirmed cases.  

Occupational violence continues to be an issue for camera operators with Serco Traffic Camera Services approach to keeping camera operators safe inconsistent.

The State Government’s provisional payments pilot commenced which allows eligible emergency workers to access payments for medical treatment and services while their compensation claim is being determined.  

The Department of Health and Human Services was split into the Department of Health and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing from 1 Feb 2021.

CPSU, in conjunction with G&C Mutual Bank, continue the tertiary scholarship program again this year, awarding $1,000 per year to support those members and their families attempting a suitable tertiary course with a demonstrated need

CPSU works with the Office of the Victorian Skills Commission (OVSC) to develop nationally accredited courses in public sector skills through a training package for members.

The union received funding from Worksafe to identify and provide recommendations in relation to the employment experiences in the VPS for women of colour and Ms Shoshana Silverman was employed as a Project Officer to undertake this project.

The Vicarious Trauma Prevention and Awareness Toolkit project which is being managed by the Branch President Mr Peter Lillywhite continued during the year.
 
The union continued to participate in a range of consultative forums for Whole of Government activities such as the Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee, the Equal Workplaces Advisory Council including advice on the application of the NZ Gender Pay Principles into a Victorian setting to assist inform the Government on the Gender Equality Act.

The union maintained its partnership with the Government to continue the Youth Employment Program, Funding was provided by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions to enable the union to employ 2 YEP support officers.

Bargaining

The following agreements were approved by the Fair Work Commission during the year

GRV Employee Enterprise Agreement 2019-2023
G4S Custodial Services Pty Ltd Victorian Prisoner Transport Services Enterprise Agreement 2021 (Private)
ESSSuper Enterprise Agreement 2020-2023 (Private)
Parliamentary Officers’(Non-Executive Staff -Victoria) Single Enterprise Agreement 2020
Ravenhall Correctional Centre Enterprise Agreement 2021 (Private)
Architects Registration Board of Victoria Enterprise Agreement 2020
Film Victoria Enterprise Agreement 2020
Victorian Planning Authority Enterprise Agreement 2021
CoInvest Limited Enterprise Agreement 2019
Victoria Legal Aid Enterprise Agreement 2020-2024.
G4S Custodial Services Pty Ltd (Port Phillip Prison) Correctional Services Workplace Agreement 2021 (Private)
Victorian Building Authority Enterprise Agreement 2020
Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR)
State Library Victoria Enterprise Partnership Agreement 2020
Electorate Officers (Victoria) Single Enterprise Agreement 2021
Museums Victoria Staff Enterprise Agreement 2020
Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) Enterprise Agreement 2020 - 2024

FWC approval Pending

Victoria State Emergency Service Agreement 2016
The Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria Enterprise Agreement 2016 - 2019
Parks Victoria Enterprise Agreement 2016
Victorian WorkCover Authority Enterprise Agreement 2016-2020
State Trustees Limited Enterprise Agreement 2017
The Shrine of Remembrance Enterprise Agreement - 2019

Govt approval Pending

AMES Australia Administrative Staff Agreement 2016
TAC Enterprise Agreement 2017 - 2021
Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) Enterprise Agreement 2017
Trust for Nature Certified Agreement 2018
Royal Botanic Gardens Enterprise Agreement 2017
Goulburn-Murray Rural Water Corporation Enterprise Agreement 2020
Accident Compensation Conciliation Service

Bargaining continues

Victorian Institute of Teaching Enterprise Agreement 2016
Schools Agreement 2017
Arts Centre Melbourne Enterprise Agreement 2018
Lower Murray Urban and Rural Water Corporation Enterprise Agreement 2018
VicForests Enterprise Agreement 2019
Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
Melbourne Custody Centre Enterprise Agreement 2018 (Private)
VicSuper Pty Ltd Enterprise Agreement 2017 (Private)

Union

The number of full-time equivalents employees at 30 June 2021 was 53.31 (2020: 52.54)
The number of financial members, inclusive of the Retired Officers Division, at 30 June 2021 was 15,717 (2020: 14,667).