Chief Minister Stanhope has announced an agreement on ACT Public Service Pay.
The in-principle agreement is based upon the Government’s final wage offer, providing for a 2.5% salary increase from 1 July 2010 and a common nominal expiry date of 30 June 2011 for the agreements. The Government has also offered a sign-on bonus of $650 for eligible employees.
“This in-principle undertaking offers a fair and financially responsible pay increase for ACT public servants and will result in more practical, productive and workable enterprise agreements for the benefit of both government and employees,” Mr Stanhope said.
The Government and bargainers have also reached agreement on a number of important changes and initiatives that will provide for a fairer and more effective workplace, both now and in the future. For example, the provision of clear, simplified processes for dealing with workplace behaviour in the ACTPS will allow for the quicker amelioration of workplace issues.
They’ve also agreed to a raft of conditions:
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— grandparental leave – up to 52 weeks unpaid;
— maternity leave – increased from 14 to 18 weeks paid;
— primary care giver leave – increased from 14 to 18 weeks paid;
— volunteering leave – 3 days paid for voluntary community service and 4 days paid for voluntary emergency leave;
— bonding leave – increased from 5 to 10 days paid; and
— enhanced scope to access dispute resolution provisions.
— bereavement leave – increased from 3 to 5 days paid per occasion;
— the adjustment of allowances by the percentage increases in pay;
— the removal of youth wage classifications;
— increases in vacation childcare program payments;
— the use of Time Off in Lieu for absences below 1 day; and
— the inclusion of Family and Community Day in the public holidays clause.
One wonders when any work will get done.