The Government's APS Bargaining Policy
Submission 392
Senators,
It is not often that I voice my opinion in such an open way. Let me firstly introduce
myself. I am a single mother, divorced, with one child.
Terms of Reference comments.
(a) the failure of the Government to conclude workplace bargaining across the
Australian Public Service almost three years after the process began - a
process that has impacted on more than 150,000 staff nationally and 115
agencies during that time;
The lack of a pay rise has impacted on me and my family dramatically. In past 6
years(prior to the current 3 year negotiation) as an APS 4 I have received the barest
minimum of increase. While my fellow colleagues of APS5 and above have been
rewarded, I in the middle range have been ignored. Considering the cost of living
increases this means that I am going backwards. Financial stress and constant
worry is a part of my everyday life. When once I paid my bills on time and
immediately, I now have to pay them in installments. Our household has restricted
all water and power consumption because we can no longer afford the luxury of a
long shower or use of a heater or air conditioner. I have reduced my food bill
because I can no longer afford to pay for main stream branded items. There is
nothing in the budget for going to the movies or out to dinner. All entertainment has
to be free, the beach, the park, the art gallery. My transport is by foot or bicycle to
reduce fuel costs.
(b) the impact of the protracted dispute on service provision, particularly in
regional Australia, and for vulnerable and elderly people;
Service provision appears to be the lowest priority for Government. The assumption
that all Australian’s can afford to have internet access or a mobile phone is beyond a
joke. Forcing people to do everything on line, when there are large groups of people
who can’t cope with on-line input. Those who are illiterate or have reading and
writing disabilities are treated like lower than second class citizens. DHS staff have
less and less time to assist anyone. The whole process is more computerised than
ever before and doesn’t allow for human interaction or human failings. No wonder
that people are dropping off the system in droves and creating social issues e.g.
bash granny into giving me her pension, instead of going through the long and
painful process of filling in system forms etc.
(c) the impact on Australia's tourism industry and international reputation as a
result of ongoing international port and airport strikes;
I didn’t think this would have a huge impact – but I have had overseas visitors tell me
they know about Australia’s striking and they are supportive. Often they can’t
believe how well protected workers are for being able to take action.
(d) the impact on agency productivity and staff morale of the delay in resolving
enterprise agreements across the Australian Public Service;
The Government's APS Bargaining Policy
Submission 392
I have worked in Commonwealth Government twice in my career. Firstly with the
Australian Broadcasting Commission/Corporation for 11 years and for the last 9yrs
with the Indigenous Affairs group in various departments. When I started with IA
there were 18 people from various depts. in one office. Since then there has been a
total withdrawal of staff back to central offices and central control.
In the current PM&C IA offices there is no respect for staff on the ground. There is a
lot of lip service and senior staff travelling to all the remote places they want to see
e.g. Broome “to understand what is happening in remote areas” Frankly, it is a
junket for all those senior staff who think they can have any understanding of what it
is like to live in a remote community in the space of one day.
In our local office we are now down to 5 staff. All the vacant positions are not being
filled and the Department thinks we can still do everything that they throw at us.
There is no understanding about distances to travel and competing demands
between programme areas. There is also no respect for establishing a repour with
Aboriginal communities and elders. Most public servants who fly in and fly out again
are considered seagulls – scavengers and not worth the effort.
(e) the effect of the implementation of the Government's Workplace Bargaining
Policy on workplace relations in the Commonwealth public sector;
I don’t know any Commonwealth agency that has had a smooth process of
bargaining. The current process is anything but fair. And bargaining decisions have
been taken out of the hands of the Secretary of Departments and put in the
Ministerial/Parliament arena. Neither the Minister or the Parliament has any
understanding of what the department actually does and how they achieve their
outcomes.
(f) the effect of the implementation of the Government’s Workplace Bargaining
Policy on the working conditions and industrial rights of Commonwealth
public sector employees;
All bargaining offers have removed many rights and conditions the government no
longer want set in conditions. This means that they have sneakily moved things
sideways on the hope that they can change them without consultation at a later
date.
(g) the extent to which the implementation of the Workplace Bargaining Policy
impacts on employee access to workplace flexibility, and with particular
regard to flexibility for employees with family or caring responsibilities;
We have the flexibility system – but with heavy work demands and less staff to do
the work, it is extremely difficult to take time off to use up flex.
(h) whether the Workplace Bargaining Policy and changes or reductions in
employees’ working conditions and industrial rights, including access to
enforceable domestic and family violence leave, are a factor in the protracted
delay in resolving enterprise agreements;
The Government's APS Bargaining Policy
Submission 392
The removal of workers’ rights plays a big part in delays. The fact the Government
doesn’t want to pay workers anything but reduce their pay and entitlements is
blatantly obvious. There is also a government agenda to follow the paths of other
nations to reduce public service. The irony of this is that those same nations have
now learned the error of their ways and are reinstating services to reduce costs of
outsourcing.
(i) the effect of an expanded role for the responsible Minister in the
Government’s Workplace Bargaining Policy.
The current Minister has an agenda and no true idea of what workers do on the
ground. Frankly, she doesn’t show any inclination to find out or to understand the
pressures.
Helen Exten
Geraldton Office | Greater WA Region
Indigenous Affairs | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet