Australian Services Union to fight new wage policy announced by Andrews Government

Just weeks after Premier Daniel Andrews joined in the Change the Rules rally, the state government has come under fire from the Australian Services Union over a new “anti-worker” wage policy.

A union is flagging an industrial relations stoush with the state government after the Andrews Government released a wage policy pay rise cap of two per cent a year.

The Australian Services Union said it would fight the regressive and anti-worker policy which would put at risk the financial wellbeing of families.

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After splurging taxpayer money across the public sector for the past four years, Treasurer Tim Pallas has told stakeholders a more “constrained” approach was now necessary.

The ASU flagged the battle lines would be drawn in the upcoming negotiations for workplace agreements with VicRoads, Melbourne Water and Barwon Water.

Premier Daniel Andrews at the Change the Rules rally in Melbourne, in April. Picture: Daniel Pockett

ASU Secretary Lisa Darmanin said Premier Daniel Andrews had hypocritically marched at the Change the Rules rally while delivering a pay policy that was a kick in the guts for its workers.

“A key part of the Change the Rules agenda Premier Andrews supported just two weeks ago is fixing the broken bargaining system to make it easier for workers to win fair pay rises,” she said.

“This policy risks the financial wellbeing of families who rely on a state public sector wage by delivering a real cut to wages.”

After splurging taxpayer money across the public sector for the past four years, Treasurer Tim Pallas has told stakeholders a more “constrained” approach was now necessary.

The new wages framework, which came into effect on Wednesday, includes two “pathways” for negotiation between public agencies and their workforces.

A primary pathway is to negotiate a new four-year agreement with improved conditions that align to “the government’s public sector priorities” such as gender equity and flexible work arrangements.

A second pathway — that lasts until June next year — allows for the rollover of an existing EBA for one year, along with a 2.5 per cent boost to pay and allowances, while negotiations for a long-term deal continue.