Victoria’s public sector union gets first new boss in 30 years

Victoria’s Community and Public Sector Union has a new top boss after lawyer and trade unionist Jiselle Hanna defeated long-serving secretary Karen Batt.

Karen Batt has been replaced as Community and Public Services Union state secretary.

Victoria’s public sector union has a new top boss for the first time in more than 30 years.

Results for the CPSU Victoria’s recent elections were officially declared on Wednesday, with lawyer and trade unionist Jiselle Hanna defeating long-serving Karen Batt for the position of secretary.

Ms Batt, the first female to hold the position, was first elected to the role in 1993.

Just over 4,000 people, of the union’s 15,000-strong membership, voted in the election with 2643 backing Ms Hanna compared to 1397 for Ms Batt.

In a statement Ms Batt said she wanted to thank members for their ongoing support.

Karen Batt was first elected to the role in 1993.

But she warned the election victory would post a new challenge for the union.

“CPSUVic is one of the oldest unions in the country and we celebrated our 140th birthday only last month,” she said.

“Over those 140 years there’s always been challenges that need to be met and this occurred when I first became secretary and throughout my time, and now this election outcome is another one of those challenges for our members.

“I wish our members well meeting this new challenge.”

Ms Batt also rejected the vote as reflective of the union membership.

“The election result from a very tiny voter turnout does not reflect the massive support the union has received from our members and the workforce in 15 recent agreements we’ve successfully negotiated in the last 18 months,” she said.

“Our union has over 300 specialist occupations delivering important government services everyday and I acknowledge and thank them all.”