A new pay deal for Victoria’s public servants will be put to a final vote, with an extra five days of reproductive leave on the table for women.
The four-year Victorian public service wage offer includes annual pay rises of 3% in line with the government’s cap, a $5,600 cost-of-living bonus and a one-off $1,000 payment to shift workers.
Community and Public Sector Union Victorian branch secretary Karen Batt confirmed it had signed an official heads of agreement with the government on Tuesday.
“All the agency-specific appendix negotiations will have to be concluded now within four weeks to finalise agreement drafting and receive final approval prior to a ballot of all VPS employees,” she wrote in a note.
Earlier, premier Jacinta Allan said the terms of the proposal featured extra reproductive leave for female public service workers.
“It’s a recognition that, at particular points in women’s lives, they need support to be able to fully participate in the workforce,” she told reporters.
Allan indicated the leave would cover women going through IVF treatment, period pain, menopause or perimenopause.
“It’s the right thing to do,” she said.
The union also won a commitment to set up a joint feasibility study and working group to explore alternative ways of working, following its push for a four-day working week trial.
The Victorian government and its agencies remain entangled in long-running pay battles with paramedics, police, firefighters and regional train staff.
Last October, the CPSU was bidding for a 20% pay rise over four years, with an option of a four-day working week, a right to flexible work, extra leave and a boost to 17% superannuation.
It originally sought a “four-day [working] week across different VPS worksites within the life of the agreement, based on the 100-80-100 model: 100% of pay, 80% work hours, 100% production”.
Australian Associated Press
https://www.themandarin.com.au/243731-public-servants-win-push-for-extra-reproductive-leave/
