Preparations for enterprise agreement (EA) negotiations at CSIRO continue to develop. Workplace meetings across the country have now been scheduled to consider the Staff Association’s bargaining claim ahead of the commencement of formal talks.
Meanwhile, the release of the Government’s pay position as part of service-wide bargaining with the CPSU in the Australian Public Sector – 10.5% over three years – provides a clearer view of the terrain for wage campaigns across the federal public sector.
Through the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), the government is engaged in negotiations with CPSU for a uniform pay rise and select common conditions across Australian Public Service (APS) agencies, part of a process that will have a significant impact on enterprise bargaining in organisations outside of the APS, such as CSIRO.
The APSC’s initial pay offer in service-wide bargaining (SWB) is 4% in the first year, followed by 3.5% and 3% – total 10.5% over three years.
This is compared to the CPSU’s claim on behalf of APS agencies of a front-loaded 9% increase in the first year, followed by 6% in
year two, and 5% in year three.
CPSU members working in APS agencies now have until 30 May to vote and either accept or reject the Government’s offer.
It’s important to note that the various claims between the APSC and CPSU represent the initial position of the parties ahead of further negotiations and set the stage for wider campaigning throughout the federal public sector to win a secure a fair pay increase.
In practical terms, service-wide bargaining will have significant influence on the timetable and progress of enterprise agreement negotiations at non-APS agencies.
However, there’s no reason to forestall or delay the commencement of EA negotiations at CSIRO, quite the opposite. Indeed, the government’s own policy calls for organisations such as CSIRO to prepare immediately and submit an overview of their bargaining position to the APSC.
Meanwhile, the Staff Association met with CSIRO Executive last week to discuss facility arrangements and the schedule for future bargaining discussions.
This month, we’re holding workplace meeting across the country to consider our bargaining claim for EA negotiations.
The claim will cover the Staff Association’s starting position on pay and superannuation, working conditions, job security and consultation.
All staff are welcome to attend, however only union members will be able to endorse the claim to be represented in bargaining at CSIRO. Find a meeting near you here.
Make sure your views are represented in enterprise agreement bargaining by joining the Staff Association today.
