Union representing Victorian bureaucrats refusing to back down on four-day working week

Victoria’s public servants are refusing to back down on their demands for a four-day working week as part of a radical new wages deal.

Victoria’s public servants are refusing to back down on their four-day working week demand.

The union representing 56,000 Victorian bureaucrats is refusing to back down on a four-day working week trial as part of a radical new wages deal.

The issue is emerging as a key sticking point in ongoing negotiations with the Allan government that are now locked in a stalemate.

The Community and Public Sector Union has made a formal pilot program for a reduced hours, four-day work week across various worksites, a key pillar of its demands.

It also wants a 20 per cent pay increase over four years and enshrined working from home provisions, including a right to work from home.

But in an email to members, Victorian secretary Karen Batt said after two months of negotiations it was clear there would be no agreement reached before Christmas.

It comes as the government is battling wage deal fights on multiple fronts including with police and firefighters’ unions.

Ms Batt said mediators would now be called in to ensure an agreement was reached before the current deal expires in March.

“It looks like stormy waters lie ahead,” she said.

Community and Public Services Union State Secretary Karen Batt.

“Employer negotiators are relying on state government pay policy which is miles away unfortunately from the reality facing families of cost of living pressures.

“The parties will not reach agreement by Christmas and have agreed to utilise the services of an independent conciliator to assist.”

Ms Batt said the government had offered a mere 3 per cent pay increase that would result in a “real wages cut” for workers.

It also made “no mention of progressing a trial into a four-day week” and was silent on proposals about addressing gender pay equity.

“There has also been silence around any progress on the Industrial Relations Minister’s commitment prior to the last state election that Victoria would introduce the appropriate legislation to refer the necessary powers to the commonwealth to allow their Victorian workers to access the independent bullying powers of the Fair Work Commission,” she said.

Premier Jacinta Allan and her government are battling wage deal fights on multiple fronts. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

The union is meeting weekly with government representatives in attempt to reach a deal.

It is also calling for an additional week of annual leave for workers, and further increased leave provisions for shift workers.

Employer superannuation contributions would also increase to 17 per cent over the life of the four-year agreement.

Last year, the state government increased its public servant wages cap from 1.5 per cent a year to 3 per cent.

Victoria’s police union has threatened industrial action over its failed enterprise bargaining negotiations.

It is expected to announce as early as today the results of a vote by the state’s 17,800 unionised officers about whether they approve the action.

It would include plastering slogans on police cars and stopping ministerial briefings.