War of the Unions

Following on from recent the blunders of the GP co-payment, Medicare and Centrelink have encountered yet another backlash as staff initial a public protest opposing the latest pay and working conditions negotiations with the Department of Human Services.

DHS has removed a 15.4% superannuation guarantee and requested employees work for an extra 6 minutes a day in return for a 0.75% pay rise, which is below the annual inflation rate. While Centrelink and Medicare staff have responded with protected industrial action, DHS has threatened to dock employee's pay if they participate.

The Community and Public Sector Union have instructed staff wishing to participate in the industrial action to read a message of protest to customers before proceeding with service:

“Sorry you have been left waiting. The government has cut thousands of jobs over the past ten years. DHS union members are fighting for safer workloads and better services for you. If you want more information about our campaign please email safeguard@cpsu.org.au. Now, how can I help you?”

Employees have also been instructed not to wear the corporate uniform, but to arrive in casual dress to work until DHS returns to the negotiating table.

But DHS aren't taking the protest action well, countering with their own threats of docked pay for employees who dare to read the protest message to customers. A spokeswoman for the DHS explains that this would simply be a compensation for work time lost and services delayed:

“If staff choose to read CPSU statements to customers and delay them doing business with us, we will apply a partial work ban, which means not paying them for the period they read out the message.”

After the announcement of the GP co-payment and the subsequent public and political outrage, the community service, public service and health systems appear to be standing on shaking legs.