Victoria Works Because We Do
Job Cuts Threaten Victoria's Essential Public Services
Victorian public sector workers are the backbone of our state. We make government work for everyone - from supporting our most vulnerable community members, rushing to help in emergencies, protecting our environment, helping educate our children, and keeping our essential infrastructure running.
Victoria works, because we do.
But the Allan Government wants to put this at risk by cuttings thousands of public sector jobs. These cuts will damage the public services we all rely on.
When public sector jobs are cut, the community pays
- Worse and Slower Services: Cuts mean longer wait times, service backlogs, and slower processing of even basic tasks. From business grants to birth certificates, these job cuts will make it harder to access the services you need.
- Crushing Workloads: Cutting public sector jobs means more work for the remaining staff. This will cause stress and burnout for our most capable people; and compromise the quality of your services. Job cuts also end up costing more than they save.
- Harm to local communities: these cuts will make it harder to get help in local communities, especially in regional and rural Victoria, and nearly impossible for public sector workers to live in the communities they serve.
Public sector job cuts don't save money
Cutting public sector jobs doesn't “balance the books” or help repair the state budget. Job cuts have high up-front costs as talented people are sacked; with more costs as the work is given to high-priced consultants.
In the longer term, these job cuts stifle the economy (especially in regional and rural Victoria), worsen unemployment, and ultimately harm the most vulnerable Victorians who depend on our services.
Public sector job cuts aren't the answer. There are better ways to balance the books.
Every Victorian Relies on Public Services
Whether you're a small business owner, a student, or a senior, public services are what make our state great.
Public services keep Victoria running. Safety. Schools. Hospitals. Emergency help. Local support. Everyone relies on them – and it is the public servants that ensure these services run effectively.
Cutting jobs means slower services, longer waits, and less help when you need it most.
These cuts will hurt Victoria, and Victorians.
It doesn't have to be this way.
How you can help
Victoria Works, Because We Do is a public campaign led by the union for Victorian public sector workers to stop these shortsighted job cuts.
We are fighting for decent, secure public service jobs and to ensure the services we provide to every Victorian are well-funded and respected.
We know how vital public services are, and we're helping focus wide community support to protect them.
Workplace Action. We are supporting our members to build awareness and get organised in every Government department and agency. Public servants are speaking with one collective voice to fight these job cuts, and stand up for the public services Victorians rely on.
If you work in the Victorian public sector, join us if you are not yet a member, and get active the campaign in your workplace by contacting your local Delegate or emailing campaign@cpsuvic.org.
Community Action. We're working with local communities to outline the negative impacts of these cuts on all Victorians, and inviting communities to stand with us and defend the services they rely on.
You can help spread the word about the campaign by contacting us via email at campaign@cpsuvic.org.
Take Action
If you work in the public sector or know someone who does, your action can help.
| Action | How this helps |
|---|---|
| Talk to Your Coworkers | Ask colleagues how the cuts will affect their work and the community. Ensure every person in your unit, team, and division knows about the campaign. |
| Share the Impact | Nobody knows your job better than you. Make sure your colleagues and community know about the negative impact of these cuts. Share this information with your delegate or the CPSU office. |
| Get Organised at Work | Attend regular member meetings, endorse our Workplace Resolution, and help promote the campaign with posters and campaign materials. |
| Talk to Your Community | Explain to friends and family that a cut to a public service job is a cut to a service they rely on. Encourage them to contact their local Victorian Member of Parliament and share the word on social media and in their networks. |
Stay in Touch
Your local delegates and CPSU Organiser are helping to coordinate this response across the public service. You can also get in touch with the Union for more help, advice, or information about this campaign at campaign@cpsuvic.org.
Campaign Resources
The following tools will help you take action and organise your workplace.
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign Kit Download | A single document with background information, speaking notes, and key organising guides. Always the most up-to-date version. | Download |
| Organising Guide: Workplace Meetings | A short guide on how to organise a workplace meeting to build support and take collective decisions. | Download |
| Workplace Resolution | The campaign resolution for you and fellow union members to endorse in your workplace. | Download |
| Request Materials | Contact the Union office to get physical posters, leaflets, newsletters, lanyards, and badges to build union visibility. | Request Materials |
| Campaign Poster | Our main campaign poster for your workplace. Contact us for hard copies. | Download |