Tony Burke’s department moves to strike
Public servants at the department overseen by Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke are preparing to take industrial action, including work stoppages of up to 24 hours, in a bid to push up pay.
The Community and Public Sector Union applied on Thursday for a protected action ballot on behalf of members at the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to protest the government’s 11.2 per cent pay offer over three years.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke’s department is dealing with the government’s contentious industrial relations bill. Alex Ellinghausen
DEWR, which is in the middle of dealing with the government’s 284-page industrial relations bill before the Senate, joins staff at other agencies including Services Australia and the Fair Work Ombudsman in moving to strike.
Once the Fair Work Commission approves the ballot, DEWR members will vote to approve options for unlimited work stoppages ranging from less than an hour to up to 24 hours. They can then notify industrial action within 30 days.
CPSU federal secretary Melissa Donnelly said the union was working with members in deciding which agencies to look to next to increase pressure on the government.
“The CPSU wants to see a package on the table that APS employees can proudly get behind, and we believe the government want that too,” she said.
“There is a clear and simple fix here.
“The conditions package that has been negotiated contains industry-leading working from home rights, an increase to casual loading, significant improvements to paid parental leave and enhanced job security provisions.
“But APS employees have been clear in communicating that they want to see the government improve the pay offer.”
The government has offered wage rises to the 160,000 Commonwealth public servants of 4 per cent next year, 3.8 per cent in 2024 and 3.4 per cent in 2025.
Services Australia employees have already notified they will strike for 24 hours on Monday, potentially disrupting welfare and health insurance services.
Introducing your Newsfeed
Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.
Find out moreRead More
Latest In Workplace
Fetching latest articles