Victorian public servants could get $5500 cash bonus, four-day working week in pay negotiations

Victoria’s public servants could score a $5500 taxpayer-funded cash bonus and a four-day work week trial in their pay negotiations with the Allan government.

The CPSU has told members it is committed to reaching an agreement with the Allan government by next month. Picture: Nicki Connolly

• ‘What else can these leaners ask for?’

Victorian public servants would share in a $300m taxpayer-funded lump sum windfall, or an average $5500 each, as part of a new wage deal.

The union representing 56,000 Victorian public sector workers has told members it is committed to reaching an agreement with the Allan government by next month.

As part of the deal it wants a lump sum cash payment that would average $5500 per employee on top of guaranteed 3 per cent annual wage increases.

An annual “mobility allowance” would also see average payments of more than $1000 made to employees every year, or 1.25 per cent of their salary.

The Community and Public Sector Union is also refusing to back away from its demand for a four-day work week trial.

“Progress has been made on the common conditions and salary increase outcomes,” CPSU Victorian branch secretary Karen Batt said in an email to members.

CPSU Victorian branch secretary Karen Batt says the ‘union’s claim is extensive and ambitious’.

“The negotiating team is working hard to squeeze out the best possible outcome in the context of the government’s pay policy and are continuing negotiations on smaller changes to improve the agreement.

“The union’s claim is extensive and ambitious after being developed in consultation with our members.

“We have progressed negotiations well and we will achieve many improvements and real wage increases.”

Ms Batt said she was committed to reaching an in-principle agreement with the government before the current agreement expired on March 20.

Salary increases, overtime allowances, gender equity and improved dispute resolution practices are key focuses of the new agreement.

The union had been fighting for a 20 per cent pay increase over four years and enshrined working from home provisions including a right to work from home.

A four-day work week trial would be based on a “100-80-100 model” meaning “100 per cent of pay, 80 per cent work hours, 100 per cent production.”

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

It is now embroiled in multiple bargaining agreement disputes with industrial action take by police, firefighters, emergency-call taker staff.

V/Line workers are also preparing to strike after rejecting a pay deal offer that included the equivalent of a 15 per cent wage rise over four years.

And the state’s paramedics could walk off the job next month as part of an escalation in their pay dispute with the state government.

The ambulance union has applied to Fair Work for a range of protect action measures.

A members’ ballot voting on the action closes on March 12.