Unions seek higher pay, four-day working week trial in new enterprise deal
The federal government has started negotiations with unions for a new enterprise agreement that will cover public servants across Australia's 108 departments and agencies.
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) announced last week that it issued the Notice of Employee Representational Rights to eligible employees.
The bargaining for the federal government will be led by Alison Stott, supported by deputy chief negotiator Damien Booth, and a dedicated Bargaining Taskforce.
The bargaining will occur in two parts, with the first one focusing on common conditions that apply across the Australian Public Service (APS) and the second one focusing on agency-level bargaining.
It aims to build on the previous APS-wide bargaining round in 2023, which is set to expire in February 2027.
The previous bargaining delivered 59 common conditions across the APS, including pay increases, reduced pay fragmentation across agencies, and higher salaries for lowest-paid APS employees. It also improved parental leave and personal/carer's leave.
"This round is a chance to build on those gains. Greater consistency across the APS will be achieved over multiple bargaining cycles," Stott said. "The goal is a stronger, more consistent APS employment offer that works across the service."
Union demands higher pay, better work-life balance
The federal government will be carrying out talks with nine unions that represent employees, with the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) expected to have the biggest role in the pay talks, The Australian reported.
According to the report, the CPSU is pushing for a cumulative 15% wage increase over the next three years, based on annual pay rises of at least five per cent, with higher increases if inflation outstrips that figure.
They will also seek a four-day working week trial, reduced reliance on external consultants and contractors, as well as guaranteed learning and development time.
"In our claim, our members want to see real pay increases and financial recognition, better work-life balance, protection and consolidation of groundbreaking flexible work rights, additional support for employees, workplace protections, and career development with guaranteed learning and development time," CPSU national secretary Melissa Donnelly told The Australian.
Stott has declined to comment on specific union demands.
"I intend to consider claims and bargain in good faith with all of the parties," she said.
