It’s decision time for Executive’s enterprise agreement proposal, with all CSIRO employees encouraged to participate in the online ballot.
CSIRO Executive have advised that the all-staff vote will be conducted by an independent third party and run from Tuesday 20 to Monday 26 February 2024.
This follows the conclusion of a week-long formal access period for CSIRO employees to access the proposed agreement and an Executive roadshow that traveled the country to sell the deal.
Staff Association members also participated in a national series of workplace meetings that outlined the offer covering changes to pay, superannuation, consultation and working conditions.
While CSIRO Executive did not meet the modest expectations of staff regarding pay, the proposed agreement does include significant improvements to superannuation, consultation, workplace conditions and employee rights.
Staff Association negotiators believe the current proposal represents the best deal CSIRO employees can hope to achieve this bargaining round. As a result, the union is not recommending members vote no in the hope of improving the offer.
We’re encouraging union members to participate in the ballot process, weigh the proposal on its merits, make an informed decision and vote accordingly.
CSIRO Executive’s revised pay offer – an 11.2 per cent increase over three years, plus back pay to November 2023 and an additional one-off payment equivalent to 0.92 per cent of base salary – remains disappointing and below expectations for many members.
Executive have failed to acknowledge the extent of the problem with CSIRO pay and could have done more – such as applying for an APSC exemption to increase the pay proposal – to represent staff.
Staff Association elected representatives are now considering strategies to progress the pay campaign beyond negotiations.
Achieving superannuation equity – specifically an equal rate of contribution regardless of fund – is a priority issue for Staff Association members and a long-standing union bargaining campaign objective.
Proposed superannuation changes include an equal rate of contribution regardless of fund and moving to calculations based on Ordinary Times Earnings rather than Fortnightly Contributions Salary.
However, CSIRO Executive have indicated that superannuation on unpaid parental leave will not be extended to those who elect to move from a Commonwealth fund.
The proposed introduction of pre-decision consultation at CSIRO secures another big-ticket bargaining item for Staff Association members.
Genuine and meaningful pre-decision consultation means engaging with CSIRO staff before proposed changes to work practices, policies, or guidelines, prior to major changes of strategy and ahead of any restructuring or relocation of jobs.
The agreement proposal also includes terms of reference for the development of a consultative committee to ensure workforce engagement processes are followed properly.
Unlike previous bargaining rounds under the former Coalition government, there has been no policy agenda demanding cuts to working conditions. Executive did not seek to remove agreement content and a ruling from the Australian Public Service Commission cleared the way for the restoration of rights and protections.
Staff Association bargaining representatives have managed to negotiate improvements to job security, reasonable workloads, science integrity, annual shutdown, parental leave, flexible work arrangements, delegate rights, Workplace Issue Resolution Procedure and Duty at Sea.
Other changes – including several Executive proposals developed from union claims – include to Public Holidays substitution, purchased leave arrangements, sick and carer’s leave accrual and documentation requirements, a new Enhanced Responsibilities Allowance, the introduction of ceremonial, NAIDOC and cultural leave and the introduction of voluntary redundancies in addition to existing substitution arrangements.
The proposed agreement contains significant improvements to superannuation, consultation, workplace conditions and employee rights; however the pay component is very disappointing and does little to address the structural problems besetting CSIRO salaries.
Securing superannuation equity and pre-decision consultation represents a major victory, achieving two priority issues that Staff Association members have campaigned for over multiple bargaining rounds.
The proposed agreement is protected by law and restores rights lost due to the policy the previous Coalition that sought to strip content. There are improved workplace conditions across a range of entitlements. Ultimately, the proposal represents a bigger, stronger and improved CSIRO enterprise agreement.
Voting is underway and is scheduled to continue until 4pm (AEDT) on Monday 26 February 2024.
All CSIRO employees covered by the agreement are eligible to vote and union members are encouraged to participate.
The Staff Association appreciates the tireless efforts of our delegates, bargaining coordinators and our union negotiators for all their hard work throughout the bargaining campaign.
