Voting is underway in a protected action ballot of union members at CSIRO, with Staff Association negotiators recommending a yes vote to increase pressure on Executive bargaining representatives to formulate an improved pay proposal.
Negotiations have continued in the meantime, including a mandatory conference involving the Fair Work Commission, resulting in provisional agreement of union-sponsored improvements to Duty at Sea conditions and progress in discussions to protect science integrity.
Elsewhere, service-wide bargaining in Australian Public Service (APS) agencies is set for a major shake-up, with the release of a new pay proposal from the Federal Government.
The Government has just revised its APS-wide pay offer, to include an additional lump sum payment that is equivalent to 0.92 per cent of an employee’s base salary.
This new feature is in addition to the three year, 11.2 per cent pay increase (4% in the first year, followed by 3.8% and 3.4%) that struggled to secure clear support from CPSU members when initially considered in September.
CPSU members are now being asked to consider the revised proposal through a week-long online poll, with the results set to have a major impact on the future of service-wide bargaining and beyond.
What does this mean for CSIRO? In an email to staff, Executive bargaining representatives said ‘APSC has advised that, as a matter of priority, they will provide further advice about how this decision will translate to non-APS agencies such as ours, noting the principle that APS outcomes will inform broader Commonwealth pay outcomes.’
‘If the Government confirms CSIRO is also able to implement this one-off payment, we will adjust our pay offer accordingly. This would mean that, if available to us, the one-off payment would be in addition to the transitional arrangements that enable backpay.’
Staff Association members are in the process of voting in a protected action ballot as part of a wider campaign to secure an improved pay offer from CSIRO Executive. The union is recommending that members vote yes to support protected action, with the ballot set to run until 30 November.
Earlier, Staff Association Secretary Susan Tonks wrote to CSIRO Chief Executive Professor Doug Hilton, calling on CSIRO to seek an exemption from the Public Sector Workplace Relations Policy to offer an improved pay proposal in enterprise bargaining.
The move was prompted by reports of statements made by Executive bargaining representatives during a recent all-staff webinar that STEM workforces were discouraged from applying for an exemption to the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC).
Neither the APSC policy or parameters mention any limitations or exclusions on exemption applications made by STEM workers in the federal public sector.
Meanwhile, bargaining negotiations continued with multiple meetings throughout the week including a conference featuring Fair Work Commissioner Alana Matheson.
In a victory for Hobart members, Executive bargaining representatives agreed to support (subject to APSC clearance) union-sponsored changes to Duty at Sea arrangements that will deliver improved leave entitlements.
There was further progress on the Staff Association claim around Science Integrity, with functional agreement reached with Executive representatives, with future discussions aimed at finalising clause scope and language.
Constructive discussions continued relating to superannuation on unpaid parental leave, Workplace Issues Resolution Procedures and access to time off in lieu (TOIL) for CSOF level 5 and above.
The next negotiation meeting is scheduled for Friday 24 November 2023.
Staff Association members with comments or suggestions are encouraged to contact the union by email, speak to a workplace delegate or organiser.
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