Baillieu Government Withdraws Vital Funds

The Baillieu government’s disorganised approach to industrial relation will come under further scrutiny as our parks are closed following the refusal to properly fund Parks Victoria, Community and Public Sector Union Organiser Matt Price said today.

Mr. Price said, ‘workers had been forced to take protected action in the face of the Baillieu Government’s ceiling of 2.5% on pay increases for its workers.’

‘Parks have limited avenues to produce ‘cash at bank’ productivities and their parlous budget position is driving the agenda to suppress wages and remove performance pay from employees,’ he said.

Parks employs 1100 staff at 100 national and state parks from Orbost to Ouyen, from Nelson to Numurkah and manages a diverse parks estate covering more than four million hectares, about the size of Switzerland or about 18 per cent of Victoria.

Mr Price said, ‘with our previous Agreement expiring last May, the urgency to solve this bargaining malaise for workers is lacking from the Government, however the fourteen (14) Executives employed by Parks pocketed bonuses last year totalling $170,000.’

‘The stalling and lack of good faith leaves no alternative for employees when faced with a disingenuous government unable, or at least unwilling, to recognise the contribution these workers make to Victorians.’

‘CPSU, ASU, and AWU members will commence protected industrial action this Sunday with bans and limitations, include not collecting camping fees, not issuing infringement notices, refusing to supervise volunteers working in Parks, as well as the closure of selected Parks to public access,’ he said.

MEDIA ALERT:  Point Cook Costal Park. Point Cook Road, Point Cook from 9.30AM on Sunday 11th December.  Representatives from all three Unions will be present.

Parks Victoria manages many different sites such as piers, waterways, ports, bays, historic buildings, trails, urban parks, small conservation reserves and large national parks.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:  CPSU Parks Organiser Matthew Price on 0458 366 211 or CPSU Comms Manager Julian Kennelly on 0417 541 789.

Saturday, 10 December 2011