Community and Public Sector Union asks for 20 per cent pay hike in new enterprise agreement

Victoria’s key public sector union has lodged a hefty new pay claim which demands a 20 per cent wage hike, four-day work week, an extra week’s holiday and 17 per cent super.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is facing a hefty new pay claim from public servants. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Victorian public servants want to be paid more to work less as part of a shock new enterprise agreement.

A claim for a new Victorian Public Service enterprise agreement is demanding a 20 per cent pay increase over four years, as well as the introduction of a formal pilot program for a four-day work week across various worksites.

The program would be based on a “100-80-100 model” the claim says, which means “100 per cent of pay, 80 per cent work hours, 100 per cent production.”

And it would be implemented more broadly following the pilot.

Working from home provisions would be strengthened, including a right to work from home, and employers would be forced to give reasons for refusing flexible work arrangements.

The Community and Public Sector Union wants extra working from home rights.

As part of a gender equity push parental leave would be extended to 26 weeks, and leave would be granted for workers to utilise for menstruation, menopause, endometriosis and other reproductive issues including fertility treatments.

The claim, by the Community and Public Sector Union, 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.

Negotiations over the claim, which has been served on 50 public service body heads, are scheduled to start in coming weeks and could continue until March.

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

A CPSU spokesperson said it’s “time to invest in people and build better services”.

They pointed out the service had committed to saving 10 per cent in efficiencies for the government.

It also comes at a time where the government is slashing its outsourcing bill promising to rely less on external consultants for public sector work.

Originally published as Community and Public Sector Union asks for 20 per cent pay hike in new enterprise agreement