CPSU launches TV ads

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has launched a groundbreaking TV advertising campaign aimed at promoting the many benefits of union membership to public sector workers.

Watch the CPSU ad on YouTube here.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones said: "The CPSU has decided to launch these TV advertisements to portray a more realistic face of modern unionism. "At a time when the Howard Government and militant employers are attempting to narrowly stereotype all unionists as overweight men in braces, the ad reinforces that the typical union member these days is a semi-professional, white collar worker looking for practical advice and support at work.
"This unusual step also reflects the fact that in the current industrial climate, union representatives find it extremely difficult to get into workplaces to talk with employees about their issues and the benefits of union membership. "This is an historic initiative. It's the first time unions have marketed the benefits of membership in the mass media via a TV campaign. "It's a positive campaign that links the individual 'value' in joining a union with the collective 'values' of working together.
"The ads are based on extensive research that shows that most workers are not opposed to the idea of union, but unions really need to do a better job of communicating to potential members the benefits of membership.
"These benefits include support at the workplace level if things go wrong, assistance in bargaining wages and conditions as well discounts on travel and home loans.

Take Cover! CPSU to provide free journey cover insurance for union members

In April 2007, the Howard Government used its Senate majority to drastically reduce workers' compensation arrangements for public sector workers.

Among many other changes, the Government removed workers' compensation cover for public servants who are injured while travelling to or from home to work.

As this part of the CPSU's campaign against the Howard Government's changes, the CPSU has decided to introduce its own 'income maintenance insurance' for union members. The idea is to provide a 'safety net' while the campaign for a better deal continues.

To read more, click here.

What do you think about CPSU providing journey cover insurance to its members? Have your say below?

Changing the channel

SBS news anchor and founding board member, Mary Kostakidis, is reportedly suing SBS for breach of contract after long standing disagreements with management about the future and direction of the public broadcaster.

The walkout by the ‘face of SBS’ has shed some public light on what SBS staff say is a significant and worrying shift in the culture of the multicultural broadcaster.

What do you think?
Have you noticed changes at SBS? Have your say below.

Workers’ compensation – ALP responds to members’ concern

Many CPSU members are concerned about the federal government's changes to workers’ compensation laws and have asked about the Labor Party’s views on these changes.

In response to questions from CPSU members, Labor leader Kevin Rudd replied:

Thank you for your letter regarding changes to the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act. As you may be aware these were debated in the Parliament last year and this year and make significant changes to:

• the definition of disease, so that employment must now make a “significant”, rather than “material”, contribution to a disease for it to be compensable;

• the definition of “injury” so as to exclude injuries arising from “reasonable administrative action taken in a reasonable manner” and expand the exclusionary provisions for stress claims to include performance appraisals and counselling in relation to performance; and

• the scope of work-related journeys so that claims for non work-related journeys and recess breaks are no longer covered, representing a significant cost shift on to state governments’ compulsory third party claims.

In all these cases, the changes have had the effect of narrowing the circumstances in which employees may claim compensation. In fact the Government’s Explanatory Memorandum to the Bill stated this was an explicit objective of the changes – noting: “the Government is seeking to significantly amend the legislation to reflect its desire to decrease the number of injuries covered by the Scheme”.

Labor opposed these changes in the Parliament because they are not in the interests of working Australians. Just like the Howard Government’s WorkChoices laws, these changes strip away the terms and conditions of our public sector work force.

These changes also come at a time when private sector firms operating in blue collar areas such as transport and construction such are being encouraged to migrate to the traditionally white collar Comcare scheme. Labor is concerned that the Howard Government is sacrificing protections for workers in order to cut its costs.

Strong protection of occupational health and safety should not be compromised. Labor believes that appropriate compensation and implementing a non-adversarial approach to injury prevention and workplace safety is essential.

Further to Labor’s commitment at National Conference, Labor will be developing its workplace health and safety policy and will be making announcements on this issue in the future.

Kind regards,

Kevin Rudd

Federal Labor Leader

Member for Griffith

A very public servant

Unless you've been living under a rock in the Pilbara for the last few weeks, you would have seen, heard or read one of the Howard Government's new 'Know Where You Stand' advertisements, fronted by Barbara Bennett from the Workplace Authority.
Are you concerned at the use of a public servant in such a political marketing campaign?
Does this sort of advertising damage the independence and integrity of the public service?
Tell us what you think about the Government's ads.

The kids aren't all right

Recent polling has shown significant numbers of young voters are drifting away from the Government because of its controversial workplace laws.

Internal Coalition research shows that more than 10% of 25-34 year-old voters have shifted their support away from the Government and towards Kevin Rudd.

The report identified the Government's poor handling of workplace relations and climate change as the two key vote-changers among younger people.

"It's no surprise that WorkChoices is unpopular with young people," says CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones. "Young workers are already vulnerable and have only limited bargaining power. Under WorkChoices they can be left completely exposed."

Stephen Jones points to recent examples of young workers getting the short end of the WorkChoices stick, such as:

* teenage staff on AWAs at Chili's restaurant chain who were required to use their own money to cover customers who skipped out without paying the bill
* hospitality staff at the Mean Fiddler Hotel losing public holiday penalty rates on Anzac Day, while their employer continued to impose a 10% surcharge on patrons
* call centre operator Excellior using WorkChoices to reduce pay rates and conditions of its young workforce in Bendigo and the Gold Coast.

"Parents with kids entering the workforce are deeply concerned that the current workplace laws offers them little protection from unscrupulous employers. How would you feel if your kids were treated this way,?" said Mr Jones..

"We are encouraging workers of all ages to ensure they are correctly enrolled to vote at the coming election. The outcome of this election will not only determine what sort of workplaces current employees have, but the shape of employment conditions for generations of future workers.

"At the last election no-one got to vote on WorkChoices. This time we do," said Mr Jones.

Have your say - post your comments below.

Is John Howard awake or asleep on climate change?

Rarely has someone been converted from self-professed "climate change sceptic" to eco warrior so quickly as John Howard. Or has he? You be the judge on YouTube. Have a look and let us know what you think.

John Howard asleep on climate change?

John Howard awake on climate change?

Young workers burnt by Chili's individual contracts

Teenagers on AWAs at a restaurant chain are being required to fork out their own money to cover customers who skip away without paying the bill.

In addition to picking up the tab of customers who do a runner, the young workers were expected to kick in $50 of their own money at the beginning of each shift for cash floats.

Employees would only start to get paid once customers arrived, with some waiting up to 45 minutes after clocking on before the $13.44* per hour started to kick in.

Many were often only offered shifts that lasted two hours in total. "Most of the time I was given only two-hour shifts, meaning I got just $26.88 a night," former employee Alice McCarthy told the Daily Telegraph.

"I was excited to land a job at Chili's...(but) sadly, my enthusiasm and excitement over my new job was quickly dampened by the harsh realities of the conditions of my employment," she said.

"I didn't really understand the implications of the AWA at first, " Alice said. "I thought it would not really make a difference to my working conditions. I also believed that the whole fuss about the WorkChoices laws was created by politicians wanting votes. But I was wrong because the AWA I had signed really did make a difference to the job."

The ACTU described the situation as "further evidence of how vulnerable young workers have lost rights under John Howard's IR laws," as they launched a new advertisement highlighting the growing concerns of older Australians and working parents.

The ad portrays three generations of the same Australian family, with a grandfather character explaining that his generation 'fought for things like regular working hours, penalty rates and redundancy pay' while his daughter and grandson worry they are losing their rights at work.

"There are very strong concerns about the IR laws among older Australians and parents who are worried about how their children are being treated in the workplace under the new IR laws," ACTU President Sharran Burrow said.

* Following a recent decision by the Fair Pay Commission, the minimum wage will jump to $13.92, effective 1 October 2007.

• What you can do: Tell Chili's what you think by sending them an e-mail.
• ACTU advertisement: Watch the latest ACTU ads online here.
• More information: Read the Daily Telegraphs report here.

Your say on new ACTU ads

As the election draws closer, the ACTU has launched a new series of hard-hitting Your Rights At Work television commercials.
In the first ad, Annette Harris talks about her experience at Spotlight where she was offered an AWA individual contract that removed penalty rates, overtime and meal breaks - all for an extra 2 cents an hour.
In the second ad, a grandfather talks about how - under WorkChoices - his children and grandchildren have lost the workplace rights his generation had fought so hard for.

Spolight on fairness: Annette Harris ad.

Grand dad ad.

Anger as workers' insurance reduced

COMMONWEALTH public servants are no longer entitled to claim damages for accidents on the way to work or during lunch breaks after an overhaul aimed at slashing the cost of their compensation scheme. (By Annabelle Crabb SMH 04 July 2007)

First class tax-payers, second class citizens

Last week, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) published their findings from a national inquiry into the discrimination against people in same-sex relationships, writes CPSU deputy National President Lisa Newman.

The report Same-Sex: Same Entitlements details the systematic discrimination of same-sex couples. It found that 58 federal laws deny at least 20,000 same sex couples and their children financial and work related entitlements, entitlements that are freely available to opposite-sex couples and their children.

These laws include Commonwealth Superannuation, Occupation Health and Safety legislation as well as a large number of Acts including the Income Tax Assessment Acts, Social Security Act, Health Insurance Act and Workplace Relations Act.

In July last year the CPSU made a submission to the HREOC enquiry, addressing the use of the 'spouse' definition in agreements, awards and legislation which excludes same sex partners from accessing entitlements.

We expressed our concern at the increased push for terms and conditions to be moved from highly transparent and legally enforceable collective agreements into less transparent and unenforceable policy.

We also identified that the increased use of Australian Workplace Agreements (AWA's), which are not subject to public scrutiny, could increase the risk of discriminatory arrangements.

CPSU's submission also exposed the discriminatory provisions in the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme and the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme which do not allow an interdependent person, including a same sex partner and their children to receive a reversionary superannuation benefit.

Last week, the Government announced a Senate Inquiry into the provision of the Superannuation Amendment Bill. The Bill does establish a number of changes to Commonwealth public sector superannuation which the CPSU supports.

However, if a few additional simple amendments to the Bill were introduced, it would be possible to prevent same-sex couple discrimination entirely and the CPSU will raise these in the Inquiry.

This Bill is the Government's last opportunity to address Superannuation discrimination before the Federal election and they need to do it right.

After the HREOC report was published, the Prime Minister stated that while his government did not support discrimination, it would not be rushed to act to rectify the situation.

CPSU has formally raised these issues on behalf of affected members many times over the last few years. We support the fair treatment of all parts of the community, and do not condone the discrimination of any minority group.

And it seems that most Australians agree. A recent galaxy poll, commissioned by GetUp! found that 71% of Australian support equality for same-sex couples.

The community has moved forward on this issue. The question is how long will it take the federal government to catch up?

Read the HREOC report here Read CPSU's submission here

Access Card - what does it mean to your work and privacy?

The Department of Human Services has announced an eight month delay in the launch of its controversial $1.1 billion welfare Access card.

The Department previously planned to begin registrations for the card next April, but now says this will not happen before late 2008. The Access Card is intended to replace the Medicare and other benefits cards, supposedly simplifying access to a wide range of Government health and welfare services.

Aspects of the plan, which has already cost $41 million, has been questioned by the CPSU, opposition political parties and privacy groups.

“This issue has the capacity to profoundly change the way public services are delivered in Australia,” said CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones.

“There are implications in this for CPSU members both in their work and in their rights as citizens. Regardless of the outcome of the election, the challenges new technology presents for the delivery of public service is not going to go away.

“We will consult with CPSU members and both sides of politics about about the Access card over the coming months to ensure the voice of those tasked with administering the card is heard and noted,” said Mr Jones.

Prior to the recently announced delay the Department said it would register 32,000 residents a day between 2008 and 2010. CPSU has already raised concerns about a number of potential issues such as Sunday opening, how to manage the increased workload, training, and the short term nature of this work.

Once the relevant legislation has been enacted the card will be compulsory for federal welfare and health benefits recipients. For this reason some privacy and civil rights organisations maintain the Access card amounts to a de facto national identity card.

More information
http://www.accesscard.gov.au/

Telstra bullying staff: Tough Call

In a program called Tough Call the ABC's Four Corners has exposed widespread management bullying, punishing performance targets and relentless monitoring of individuals’ time and movements in Telstra.

These are issues that members in Telstra - and many other CPSU workplaces - have been campaigning around for many years. We are encouraging members and supporters who have seen the program to post a comment below.

UNION TALKS TO MEMBERS... SHOCK!

If you want proof that the Your Rights at Work campaign is working, look no further than Howard Government hysteria this week around a leaked ACTU's phone polling document, writes CPSU National Secretary, Stephen Jones.

Over the last two years union members and supporters have been campaigning hard against WorkChoices.

We've conducted surveys and polls, put out emails, press releases and bulletins, held workplace and community meetings, worn tempory tattoos, baked orange cakes, organised massive rallies and even funded prime-time TV ads.

Despite this highly visible approach, the Howard Government claims the Your Rights at Work campaign is a secret, sinister and undemocratic plot by "union bosses" to "steal control of the country" and "ruin the economy."

Incredibly, the Government is arguing that union representatives shouldn't even be talking with their members about the most profound change to their workplace rights in 100 years.

So as the pre-election rhetoric heats up, it's important to remember what this campaign about... unfair workplace laws.

WorkChoices is an attack on the working conditions of millions of working Australian families. Despite the Government's theatrics, the fact remains that under WorkChoices:

• overtime and penalty rates are being cut;
• workers are being dismissed unfairly;
• collective bargaining is being undermined;
• the independent umpire is being sidelined;
• new starters are being forced onto AWAs.

Because we talk with them, we know most CPSU members oppose WorkChoices and want fairer, more balanced laws. We also know that if we want to change these unfair laws, we'll have to change the government.

This is why we'll be talking with CPSU members who live in key marginal seats. What happens in those seats will determine the outcome of the election.

The overwhelming majority of members we've contacted so far have been more than happy to have their say.

If people don't want to talk about WorkChoices - for whatever reason - we fully respect their decision not to participate.

Fair workplace rights will be a key election issue. Which means the CPSU has an obligation to find out what our members think, and argue for it passionately.

It's called democracy. It's a union thing.

Push It – campaign for paid maternity leave

CPSU members and staff were in a crowd of about 200 people who braved heavy winter rain in Sydney today to rally in support of paid maternity leave.

Australia is one of only two developed nations – the other being the USA – that does not provide paid maternity leave. Ironically Australia once led the world on this issue, having introduced a maternity allowance in 1912.

Today’s rally was organised by Marie Claire magazine and speakers included the NSW Minister for Women Verity Firth, Democrats Senator Natasha Stott—Despoja and Marie Claire editor Jackie Frank.

In an impassioned speech Ms Firth pointed out that under WorkChoices the situation for women wanting to have children is even more difficult than ever before.

See here for further information.

Have your say: Most CPSU members are already entitled to paid maternity leave but this is not the case in the wider community, with two-thirds of women having no access to any paid maternity leave. Should the Government extend paid maternity leave to all women in the workforce? Post a comment below.

What's so fair about that?

With a tough election looming, the Howard Government is trying to neutralise community concerns about its WorkChoices laws by introducing a new so-called 'fairness' test.

The changes have been rightly dismissed as cynical pre-election window-dressing.

We reckon if the Government is really serious about fairness in the workplace, there are plenty of issues to tackle... and we've put together a short list.

Compensation: Recent Government changes mean over 100,000 staff have lost workers compensation coverage for journeys to and from the office. The change does nothing to make workplaces safer and simply shifts the costs and risks from employer to employee.

Unfair dismissals: The Howard Government’s laws exclude over four million Australians from unfair dismissal protection, simply because their employer has fewer than 100 employees. Under WorkChoices employers with more than 100 staff can use the 'operational grounds' loophole to sack workers and avoid an unfair dismissal claim.

Working Hours: According to ABS figures, almost a third of Australian employees work unsocial hours - between 7pm and 7am - and most have no say about when they start or finish. About half of the 37 per cent of employees who work overtime do so for no extra pay. None of which will be a surprise to the tens of thousand of CPSU members already struggling to balance their work and home lives.

Collective bargaining: Under WorkChoices, employers hold all the cards. Even where a majority of employees vote in favour of making a collective agreement, employers can ignore your wishes and offer individual contracts, or simply refuse to negotiate. Ironically the Government are now spending big money promoting collective bargaining to small businesses as way to ensure they are not disadvantaged by larger and more powerful businesses. So collective bargaining - sticking together to get a fair deal - is a good idea for small business, but somehow not for employees.

AWAs: In a growing number of public service agencies, new employees are denied the opportunity to choose between collective agreements or AWA individual agreements. And in some workplaces AWAs continue to be used to undermine collective agreements, not to improve pay and conditions.

Have your say:Is the Government doing enough to address the issues that matter to you? Are there other issues they need to address? Post a comment

The real cost of soldiering on...

Management pressure on employees to 'soldier on' at work when they are unwell is costing the Australian economy almost four times as much as absenteeism, according to a recent survey.

The report commissioned by Medibank Private, claims that 'presenteeism' - the lost of productivity that occurs when employees attend work while not fully functioning -is contributing to a $25 billion dollar black hole in lost productivity every year.

The health insurer estimates the annual cost to the economy of 'soldiering on' is almost four times that of absenteeism, only $7 billion by comparison.

Read more here and leave a comment below.

Crossing the line

The removal of journey claims from workers compensation rules is fuelling confusion in public service ranks with employees and managers unsure exactly where coverage begins and ends.

A recent case in Victoria exposed one of the 'grey areas' created by the Governments recent cuts to the compensation scheme for Australian public servants.

Read more here and post your thoughts below.

TRENT SMITH'S WITCH-HUNT

After being the subject of an extraordinary political 'witch-hunt', CPSU member Trent Smith is at the centre of an explosive legal battle set to test the limits of the Public Service 'Code of Conduct'.
Trent Smith was dismissed from his Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) job last July after being accused of acting politically when he advised an Opposition staffer to check the Hansard record of Parliamentary proceedings and other public sources of information.

The case has taken 4½ years and involved DFAT trawling through 8000 emails and spending a million dollars of tax-payers' money.

Learn more here and post a comment below. Check out recent media reports here.

DFAT-sacking-a-gross-overreaction
Diplomat-threatened-dfat-head-court-told
Govt should drop witch-hunt and reinstate Trent Smith now (CPSU media release)
DFAT-may-probe-spys-suicide
Bureaucrats-agog-at-evidence-of-skulduggery-in-ranks
Govt witness contradicts himself at unfair dismissal hearing
Diplomat-drops-more-bombshells
Envoys-past-faces-tough-scrutiny
Diplomat-tells-of-46m-in-bank-account
Key Govt witness admits being mystery source
Diplomat-tells-of-giving-loans-to-thai-drug-dealers

Working round the clock

As the Howard Government seeks to soothe unease about its workplace laws, a Bureau of Statistics survey reveals the deep incursion work has already made into family and community life.

The figures show 37 per cent of employees work overtime or extra hours - and about half of them do so for no extra pay. Three in five said they had no say about when they started or finished.

Download the ABS report here and please post a comment.

‘Our employees voluntarily choose AWAs' - Trujillo

Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo appeared on CNBC Asia this week to talk about various issues to do with the company. Of particular interest to CPSU members was what Mr Trujillo had to say about Telstra AWAs.

Sol Trujillo: 'Our employees enter into these agreements voluntarily'
Not surprisingly, he's all for them and reckons everyone on one is too. "Our employees choose to enter into these agreements and they do it voluntarily," Mr Trujillo said.

So, has Mr Trujillo got it right? Do you like your AWA? Post your comments below

Read the interview with Sol here.

Tripped up by new compo rules

Twelve hours after new workers comp rules came into effect, an accident on the way to work sent one public service manager sprawling.

With the new laws, introduced by the Howard Government, public servants are no longer covered for accidents and injuries sustained traveling to and from work and during lunch breaks spent away from the workplace.

To read Annette's* story click here.

To read previous blog posts and comments on the new compo laws, click here, here, and here.

What do you think about the changes to compo laws? Post your comments below.

Flashy ads for Join2Win

As part of our new Your Rights at Work campaign initiative - Join2Win - we have created 2 'flash' promos designed to highlight the benefits of CPSU membership. Join2Win is about encouraging CPSU members to talk with their workmates about joining the union, and voting for their rights at work.

Find out more about the Join2Win campaign by clicking here.
Watch the Flash ads clicking here and here.
What do you think of the ads? Post your comments below.

Behind the Bastard Boys

The 1998 waterfront dispute was brought vividly to life this week in the ABC's Bastard Boys telemovie. Nine years ago a stevedoring company tried to sack its 1,400 employees and the ensuing battle between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia has gone down in history as one of Australia's most important industrial and political events.

To read an opinion piece by Josh Bornstein (a lawyer who played a key role in winning the dispute) click here.

What did you think of the ABC's portrayal of the dispute? Post your comments below.

Will Labor fix the compo crisis?

With resentment growing over the Government's removal of PS compensation rights including 'journey' coverage, the ALP has announced it would - if elected - reintroduce some form of income protection for public sector employees who are injured travelling to and from work.

There is growing resentment in the public sector about new Government legislation which removes the right to claim workers' compensation for injuries sustained travelling to and from work; during lunch and other breaks. The new laws also make it much harder for workers with stress-related injuries to get the support they need.

However at ALP National Conference last weekend, a motion was passed to reintroduce income protection for public sector employees who are injured travelling to and from work or during breaks. "...Labor will reintroduce income protection by amending the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act for the purposes of employees who are injured travelling to and from work and during breaks in working hours..."

The ALP announcement is a step in the right direction, but we need push the Opposition harder on the fine details. This is a very complex matter and the devil will be in the detail. We are urging members to send an online message of encouragement to the ALP.

Keeping the Pressure on the Govt too! As well as encouraging the ALP to do the right thing, CPSU members are also urged to contact the Liberal and National MPs and Senators who supported the unfair changes to let them know how you feel. Follow this link to find contact details for your local Liberal / National MPs and Senators.

Read a passionate letter from a Defence worker to his local member.

Howard's new fairness test falls well short

The Government is just tinkering around the edges of WorkChoices with the announcement of a 'fairness test' for AWAs. What's needed is a meaningful, legislated guarantee that would ensure no workers would be worse off by signing an AWA, compared to their Award or Collective Agreement.

If the Government is fair-dinkum about a 'fairness test' they should legislate for a meaningful test, rather than the half-measures announced today.

The new fairness test only applies to the nine 'protected' award conditions. This means important employment conditions outside the nine - such as redundancy entitlements / family friendly arrangments - will still be under threat from AWAs.

Download Government media release and full document.

Read media reports: Hockey denies public pressure led to WorkChoices scale back ABC online IR backflip is 'desperate', says Labor The Age online

What do you think? Please leave a comment.

ALP's IR policy revealed

Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard fleshed out the ALP's proposed industrial relations policies at Labor's National Conference over the last few days.

Click here for Kevin Rudd's "Forward with Fairness" speech to ALP National Conference on 28th April 2007

Click here for Julia Gillard's "Forward with Fairness" speech to ALP National Conference on 28th April 2007

Click here for Kevin Rudd's and Julia Gillard's "Federal Labor's Fair And Balanced Industrial Relations Policy" joint statement released on 28th April 2007

Tell us what you think
What do you think about the ALP's proposed changes to industrial relations laws? Post your comments below.

Join2Win campaign kicks off

More than 500 activists have signed up to CPSU’s Join2Win initiative - a key part of the union’s Rights at Work campaign in this election year.

Thirty-second radio ads promoting the value of union membership are currently running in Canberra as part of the CPSU's Join2Win initiative. You can listen to the radio ads here and here (mp3 format)

Join2Win aims to give activists the skills and support they need to get the message out in their communities; and to build support for the union in their workplaces.

In coming months these 500+ people will be talking with members and potential members about the urgent need to join the union and vote for fair workplace rights.

For more information or to join the campaign online click here

Already signed up to Join2Win?

Share your Join2Win experiences by posting a comment below.

Rudd reveals part of his IR agenda

In a major speech at the National Press Club yesterday, ALP Leader Kevin Rudd outlined some of his alternative workplaces relations plan.

It includes introducing a national IR system for the private sector, abolishing AWA's, outlawing strikes without secret ballots, and re-introducing streamlined unfair dismissal laws.

The ACTU says its "a good start". Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey called it a "donkey", while business groups remain "luke-warm".

But what do you think? Please post a comment.

WorkChoices: one year on

This week marks the one-year anniversary of 'WorkChoices' - the Howard Government's radical rewrite of Australia's industrial relations (IR) laws.  After twelve months, we want to know what you think about the new laws.  Please take a minute to vote in our snap poll here and post a comment about the new laws.

More information

ACTU fact-sheet: IR laws 1 year on 
download

ACTU full report: IR laws 1 year on
download

CPSU welcomes ALP broadband plan and PS super guarantee

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones today welcomed the ALP’s $4.7 billion broadband plan and Kevin Rudd’s guarantee to cover future public service superannuation liabilities.

A future Labor government would finance it through the $2 billion Communications Fund and the Future Fund's 17% stake in Telstra.

The plan also includes a similar investment from a company such as Telstra or Optus, bringing the total outlay to around $8 billion.

It would connect 98% of Australians at more than 40 times present speeds.

"This will help build and strengthen the economy and create employment throughout the country," said Mr Jones.

"For far too long Australia has lagged behind other developed countries in bandwidth. The ALP's plan to build a high-speed network will redress this imbalance and help ensure economic prosperity long beyond the resources boom.

"This is the sort of forward thinking plan that has been sorely lacking from government. And, as high users of information technology services both at work and home, CPSU members will greatly benefit from this plan," said Mr Jones.

Mr Jones also welcomed Kevin Rudd's guarantee that the retirement provisions for public servants are fully protected.

"The CPSU is satisfied that public service superannuation liabilities will be fully met under the Future Fund and that the money invested in the broadband plan will benefit the whole country and economy. This is a plan with nation building at its core. It should be supported by all sides of politics," said Mr Jones.

More information: Public super 'covered' in $4.7bn broadband plan from The Australian.

Click below to have your say.

CPSU launches Join2Win

Join2Win is a new Your Rights at Work campaign activity designed help you talk to people in your workplace about building your union and voting for fair industrial relations laws.

With the 2007 Federal Election on the horizon, it is more important than ever that CPSU members stand up for their rights at work to protect pay, conditions and to provide job security for themselves, their families and their communities.

Join2Win aims to have 500 members signed up in March and April this year to have conversations about the importance of joining their union and voting for their rights at work. Each of these members will pledge to recruit at least two new members each.

Regardless of whether you are a CPSU activist or a recently joined member, everyone who participates in Join2Win will be supported. Members who sign up will have access to training and resources such as t-shirts, badges, stickers and flyers. They will also have the full support of CPSU organisers throughout the Join2Win campaign.

Join2Win week, starting 30 April 2007, will be the first big Join2Win activity involving all members. Your workplace might hold a Join2Win day, or have a morning tea to welcome new members.

To find out more about Join2Win click here or to sign up to participate, click here.

Have you signed up to Join2Win? Tell us your experiences below.

Survey says... hands off our compo rights

A CPSU survey of more than 500 public sector workers from all major government agencies has revealed alarm and confusion about a Howard Government plan to slash public service compensation arrangements and remove cover for journey to and from work.

Over 90% of respondents to the survey were 'very concerned' at the proposed legislative changes.

The legislation currently before the Senate includes:
* removal of compensation protection for injuries sustained during travel to and from work;
* removal of coverage for accidents during lunch and other breaks, or during lunch-time sporting activities.
* harsher claim assessments for workers suffering from psychological and stress related conditions
* an expanded list of management actions that can be potentially excluded from future claims

Close to one-third indicated that the removal of compensation for travel and lunch-time activities would make them less likely to continue walking or riding to and from work, exercising or keeping active during rest breaks.

Nearly 65% of public servants surveyed also felt their employer was not doing enough to reduce the causes of work related stress.

"At times I like to take a walk during breaks or ride my bike, promoting a healthy lifestyle. What am I to do if I have a serious fall or hit by another person?" asked one Medicare employee.

"Many of my staff travel interstate for meetings. Will they be covered on their way to the meeting locations, no matter how they travel, and on their return?" asked Veronica, a public servant.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones condemned the changes as "unfair and unworkable".
"The Government is using these changes simply to cut costs rather than taking positive steps to ensure public sector workers work in an safe and healthy environment," he said.

"The removal of travel and break coverage is just dead wrong. These changes are in stark contrast to existing arrangements for Federal politicians who retain full coverage for injury or illness - whether on the job, traveling or on a break." he said.

"We all know that a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise can reduce the chance of getting stress related injuries. So why is the Government making it harder and more risky for its own staff to stay healthy? asked Mr Jones.

CPSU members are stepping their campaign against the changes with hundreds of online protests sent to Government ministers and Senators last week and further actions planned.

"We'll continue to take this issue up to the Government. All politicians need to be aware of the negative implications of these changes on the public service," he said.

Despite an overwhelming majority of critical submissions, a recent Government controlled senate enquiry rubber-stamped the legislation. The bill is now due for final consideration by the senate later this month.

How you can help:

Post your comments below
Send a protest letter
Complete our brief online survey
Read other members comments
Read the ALP's position.
Download and distribute a bulletin
Keep up to date with all the latest compo news

Have your say on the new ACTU WorkChoices ads

New ACTU television ads launched at the weekend use the Howard Government's own official figures to demostrate how the new IR laws are hurting many Australians.

The new ads reveal how AWA's are being used to reduce many employment conditions including: overtime, penalty rates, annual leave loading, public holiday pay, shift allowances and rest breaks.

What do you think about the ads? Check out the ad on YouTube below and post your comments below.

Media report: ACTU probes details of AWAs (from ABC online)

ADDING INSULT TO INJURY

Compo rights slashed for PS workers:

Did you know the Howard Government has just endorsed new laws which radically reduce workers’ compensation rights in the public sector?

The wide-ranging changes will affect public servants who drive, use public transport, ride bicycles or walk to or from work.

They will also make work-related injury claims more costly, contentious and complicated. We need your help to raise awareness about the issue your workplace.

Follow the links to find out more, complete our survey and send a protest letter.

The challenges ahead in 2007

Dear CPSU members and supporters,

This year will be crucial - not just for the union movement but for all Australians.

The federal election - which is expected in about seven months - represents a turning point for Australian Society.

Do we accept the continued denigration of worker’s rights under the current Coalition Government or is Australia a country that still believes in the fair go?

CPSU has consulted widely with members, delegates and activists about alternatives to the Government's extreme WorkChoices legislation.

The message we are getting back is loud, clear and unmistakable - people do care about their rights at work, a fair go and want a system that benefits the employee as well as the employer.

We will continue to consult with members both in face-to-face meetings and through phone conversations. In marginal seats CPSU members and supporters are banding together to ensure the issue of worker's rights is front and centre in the minds of candidates from all parties.

CPSU will also continue to support the ACTU's Your Rights at Work campaign to get rid of the utterly unfair WorkChoices.

More than 70 new agreements are to be negotiated this year - in agencies large, medium and small including Immigration and Citizenship, the Department of Health and Ageing, ACT Government, NT Government, the National Maritime Museum, Australian Federal Police and Medibank Private to name just a few.

At the same time as we are winning new agreements, we will also be focusing on enforcing existing ones.

We now know that under WorkChoices winning a good agreement is only half the battle. Thanks to the Howard Government's IR laws, employers have more opportunity than ever to wriggle out of commitments or undercut collective agreements.

In fact - to protect your pay, conditions and rights at work - it has never been more important to stick with the union.

As well as workplace laws and bargaining, CPSU members and supporters will face other challenges and opportunities this year including changes to super, workers' comp and OHS, attacks on the public sector, as well as the fallout from the federal election.

CPSU Governing Council - 70 workplace representatives directly elected by you - is meeting in March to determine the union's policy and priorities for the next 12 months.

There is no doubt 2007 is shaping up to be one of the busiest ever for CPSU members. But I am confident that with the right plan - and your ongoing support - we will not only survive 2007 but grow, so we can continue to make a positive difference in workers' lives.

If you are not a member, you can find out about joining today here or by calling 1300 137 636.
Please feel free to post your comments below.

In unity,

Stephen Jones
CPSU National Secretary

Maritime Museum strike action on target

Industrial action taken by staff members at the Australian National Maritime Museum has forced management back to the bargaining table following stalled negotiations for a new collective agreement.

On the eve of Australia Day, CPSU members gathered around the entrance of the museum and entertained visitors with colorful banners and union sea shanties (“what shall we do with a bad employer?”). A corporate ‘pirate’ was also on hand to make honest employees walk the plank. Click here to see photos from the day.

While the strike activities were lighthearted, the decision to take industrial action was a serious one. After their agreement expired in June 2006, Museum management continued to frustrate the bargaining process by delaying negotiations and failing to reply to correspondence. Management also refused to meet with staff and CPSU representatives.

As a result of the industrial action, Museum management agreed to recommence negotiations for a fair and reasonable union collective agreement. Both CPSU and management have committed to lodging an in-principle agreement by the end of February.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones said that going on strike was the last resort for the staff members’.

"These CPSU members tried time and time again to reason with management, they did all the right things, but got nowhere,” Jones said.

“Museum management admitted they were under pressure from the Government to reduce conditions and offer AWAs. This is just another example of how John Howard's radical new workplace laws are affecting everyone in the community.”

Click here to send your letter to support to ANMM staff members, find out more information about the campaign or post your feedback on our blog.