As we enter the festive season, let’s take stock of the amazing year we’ve had.

It’s been a huge year.

We completed an Enterprise Agreement for the whole Victorian Public Service, covering 55,000 people. We’ve finalised a number of NEXUS Agreements following on from that as well as a number of stand-alone Agreements at statutory authorities.

We campaigned to stop the privatisation of Births, Deaths and Marriages and keep it 100% in public hands.

We’ve been able to save Heritage Victoria jobs, making sure that the heritage of the state is protected by public servants dedicated to looking after our history.

We made sure we were heard by the Victorian Parliament in relation to AI and surveillance at work.

We fought a campaign against the government’s changes to Workers’ Compensation, that denies you a right to compensation in the event that you’re injured as a result of mental street, workload or bullying.

These have been significant campaigns.

We also appeared before the Australian Senate on a submission we made in relation to new international tax laws being inclusive of country-by-country reporting. This is to make sure that corporations who operate here in Australia pay a fair share of tax - tax that underpins public services.

We’ve been recognised globally by our international trade union federation, Public Services International for this groundbreaking, global first of country-by-country reporting.  We’re very proud of this work and hope you will be too.

The whole union has been very proud to represent our members in a range of forums, through the budget re-prioritisation programs and the massive restructuring. Throughout, your voices were heard in your workplaces. Alternative proposals were produced and considered and a number of them have been picked up by government.

Importantly, our union welcomed more than 3,600 new members this year. That’s one of the biggest recruitment drives we’ve ever had.

Following last week’s release of the government’s Economic Growth Statement CPSU has sought more detail and better particulars from several Departments but no more is known at this stage.

We will update members as more information comes to light in 2025.

Sincere thanks to CPSU members, delegates, staff and officials for a fantastic year of wins.

Please note the union office is closed from Monday 23 December re-opening on Monday 6 January.

Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. We look forward to representing you in 2025.
 

Wayne Townsend
Acting Branch Secretary