Territory public service union ‘frustrated’ as government ignores calls to settle pay dispute

Thousands of frontline Territory shift workers allegedly underpaid by the government continue to wait in limbo despite a settlement agreement being struck weeks ago.

The Territory government has been ignoring calls from the public sector to address the alleged underpayment of thousands of workers despite a solution being agreed to more than a month ago, union representatives say.

The Community and Public Sector Union launched a dispute with the NT Office of the Commissioner of Public Employment in July this year claiming 2000 public servants across Health, Corrections, Territory Families and other departments were being underpaid.

Their primary concern was for shift workers on 38 hour per week contracts who were being paid the same amount as workers on 36.75 hour per week arrangements, resulting in the loss of about 60 hours pay each year.

CPSU NT acting regional secretary David Villegas.

An agreement to settle the dispute was made by the public employment Commissioner more than five weeks ago, however the government has stalled on approving the funding.

The CPSU said they were deeply frustrated repeated requests for action were being ignored.

“After a year of negotiations and a dispute with the Commissioner of Public Employment, disappointingly, our members are yet to receive this pay rise and we remain concerned by the unexplained delay,” CPSU Acting Regional Secretary David Villegas said.

“We again call on the NT government to honour the OCPE’s solution and to provide a clear time frame for resolution of this unacceptable and ongoing underpayment of workers.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the government was working with the union to resolve the pay disparity. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the government was working with the union to review the “historic inconsistencies” in shift worker contracts.

“Our hardworking public servants keep our Territory moving, and I thank them for all their work,” she said.

“Whether you’re out on the frontline keeping Territorians safe, or serving the Territory across our many different agencies your dedication and commitment to your work does not go unnoticed.

“This is why our Enterprise Bargaining Agreements recognise these contributions, while also making sure the Territory stays in a competitive economic position.

“There have been some historic inconsistencies between some shift workers being employed on a 38 hour week and some on a 36.75 hour week, but being paid the same.

“Under the General NTPS Enterprise Agreement, the Territory government has agreed to review this situation with the CPSU.”