The CPSU Agreement 2020: What You Need to Know
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) is the largest public sector union in Australia, representing over 160,000 members across a diverse range of industries. Every few years, the CPSU negotiates a new Enterprise Agreement with the federal government on behalf of its members. In mid-2020, the CPSU reached a new agreement with the government, known as the CPSU Agreement 2020. Here`s what you need to know about the agreement and how it affects public sector workers.
Pay and Conditions
One of the key aspects of the CPSU Agreement 2020 is pay and conditions. The agreement includes a 2% pay increase for CPSU-covered employees each year for the next three years. This increase is in addition to the 2.2% increase already provided for in the 2017 agreement. The agreement also includes improved job security provisions, including limitations on the use of labour hire and casual employment, and stronger consultation requirements around redundancies.
Flexible Working Arrangements
The CPSU Agreement 2020 includes a number of provisions around flexible work arrangements. These include the ability for employees to work from home or other locations, and to request part-time or flexible work arrangements. The agreement also includes provisions around carer`s leave and domestic violence leave, which allow employees to take time off work to care for family members or deal with domestic violence situations.
Workplace Health and Safety
Another key feature of the CPSU Agreement 2020 is a focus on workplace health and safety. The agreement includes a range of provisions aimed at improving the health and safety of public sector workers, including measures to reduce workplace stress, improve mental health support, and provide better training around health and safety issues.
What Comes Next?
The CPSU Agreement 2020 has been ratified by both the CPSU and the federal government, and will come into effect from 1 July 2020. The agreement covers a range of public sector employees, including those working in the Australian Public Service, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the Australian Taxation Office, among others. If you are a public sector worker covered by the CPSU Agreement, it`s important to familiarise yourself with the new provisions of the agreement, and to raise any concerns or issues with your union rep or HR department.
Overall, the CPSU Agreement 2020 represents a positive step forward for public sector workers in Australia. By improving pay and conditions, supporting flexible working arrangements, and prioritising workplace health and safety, the agreement helps to ensure that public sector employees are able to work in safe, supportive, and rewarding environments.