For most of the 20th century the Public Service Union in Victoria has fought to obtain a satisfactory, independent industrial tribunal, independent of our employer, and this story provides a focus for our history as much today as it did then.

A thousand public servants crammed into the Athenaeum Hall in Collins Street, Melbourne after work on June 17, 1885, to form the union which, it was hoped, "would benefit all and abolish grievances".  The union already had 1900 members prior to this first general meeting.

In the early days of the Union our claims included, the establishment of an independent Appeals Board, protection for temporary officers, long service leave, a living wage - an adult male rate 21 yrs - then 26 yrs, and sick leave.

• In 1916 we campaigned for and won the passage of the Political Rights Bill ensuring it was no longer a criminal offence for public employees to chair and speak out at meetings, ask questions of political candidates, or to join a political party.
• In 1918 we took the first step towards gaining equal pay for equal work when a case was won to improve the pay of women teachers from 1/3 of the male rate to 4/5.
• In the 1920’s we won fortnightly pays, ceasing the payment of public employees on an annual stipend.
• In 1926 Superannuation was first established as an entitlement by the Union and backdated to 1924.
• Paid sick leave of 6 days per year was also won in 1926.
• In 1936 the Union won its members the right to cumulative sick leave and the principle of a Higher Duties Allowance.
• In 1937 the Union fought for a 5-day working week.
• In 1951 members’ entitlements to annual leave were extended to 3 weeks.
• In 1963 Long Service Leave was successfully improved from 6 months after 20 years to 4½ months after 15 years service.
• In 1969 the union finally achieved its equal pay claim - introducing 85% of the male wage as of 5th October 1969 for female rates of pay and 100% from 1st January 1972.
• In the early 1970s, Paid maternity leave was achieved.
• In 1973 the union succeeded in increasing annual leave to 4 weeks.
• By the early 1990’s all that had been achieved was under threat with the election of the radical conservative Kennett Government with individual contracts of employment [Victorian] introduced, State Awards abolished, annual leave loading removed, access to arbitration of disputes requiring employer consent introduced, 30,000 jobs cut, and Superannuation benefits reduced as member contributions increased.
• On 11 December 1996, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission delivered its arbitrated decision establishing an Interim [VPS] Federal Award which included retrospective annual leave loading to 4 March 1994, and a 10% wage increase with 7% backdated to 25 November 1995.  Victorian IR system ceded to Commonwealth.
• MX Award won in March 2000 providing 9.5% pay increase as AWA's (individual contracts) are abolished and a Career Service is returned in 2003 when broad pay bands are replaced under Exceptional Matters Order by AIRC by the current classification (Grades 1-7) system.
• VPS PAY 1992 - 2028
     

And more recently members entitlements received a boost to include paid superannuation on all parental leave (104 weeks) and paid leave (5 days) for reproductive rights.

Over a century later the CPSU continues its task to protect and improve conditions for Victorian Public Sector employees around secure work, flexible work arrangements, and alternative ways of working, while continually campaigning to stand up for our services.

Protect the wins of the past and contribute to the improvements for your children’s and grandchildren’s employment in the future.

CPSU members work towards improving the terms and conditions of employment of all Victorian Government employees.

    A brief history of 1st 100 years
    Argus report 18th June 1885 of the gathering and minutes
    140 years