VPS secretaries and union to discuss budget cuts

The union representing Victorian public sector staff will this week meet with state authorities secretaries following information of wage caps and cuts to back-office jobs.

Treasurer Tim Pallas on Saturday revealed that the federal government needs to cut back annual wage will increase throughout the state public sector from 3% to 2%, and introduced that the federal government wages coverage could be adjusted with a discount within the assured annual base improve from 2% to 1.5%.

Pallas mentioned the cuts would primarily have an effect on back-office employees, which the Community and Public Sector Union mentioned was ‘most disappointing from a Labor authorities’ and would affect providers.

“You look a bit silly holding the hose if there’s nobody to flip the faucet on,” Victorian department secretary Karen Batt mentioned of the cuts on Monday.

The measures goal to save $3.6 billion over 4 years, which the CPSU has criticised in mild of the general public sector workforce’s efforts throughout COVID-19 and the Black Summer bushfires.

“Our agreements run via till March 2024 and our wage outcomes are safe, however the saving {dollars} within the ahead estimates will probably be compounded as soon as the brand new wage cap is carried out as a result of it’s going to reduce the supplementation to departments and companies and that can harm service supply as PS employers transfer to mitigate this lack of income and implement the dodgy employment practices we all know all so effectively,” the CPSU mentioned.

“The worth of our federally registered VPS Agreement 2020 will come to the fore now because it stipulates how mobility (transition) is to be used and this may guarantee everybody and their employment is protected.”


READ MORE: No major public service cuts in Victorian budget, Pallas says


In a communique to public servants on Saturday, Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jeremi Moule mentioned a few of the measures introduced by the federal government forward of Thursday’s budget would require a ‘workforce transition’ inside the public service.

“The arduous work, professionalism and dedication of our VPS workforce has been our best asset all through the COVID-19 pandemic and the worth of our individuals will stay entrance of thoughts as we work collectively via this transition with our workers and public sector unions,” he wrote.

“A key focus will probably be constructing inner functionality and lowering reliance on contractors and consultants. Workforce mobility via the Jobs and Skills Exchange will probably be an necessary instrument. The impacts of those measures will probably be totally different throughout totally different departments and divisions. In the weeks following the budget, we’ll start to assess what the measures imply for DPC and will have interaction additional with our workforce and unions as we do.”

The CPSU mentioned it might meet with secretaries this week to ‘guarantee jobs are protected’ and the ‘spirit’ of Moule’s message was adhered to.

The union has additionally contacted Industrial Relations Victoria, which is coordinating coverage implementation on its non-negotiables about safe work and using contracts, contractors, and consultants.


READ MORE: NSW public servants wage increases slashed in $3 billion cost cutting effort


 

Related Posts