Period leave, pay rises and flexible work trials for Victoria’s public service

The Victorian Public Sector (VPS) union, the Australian Education Union (AEU) Victoria, the Australian Services Union (ASUVAX), the Health Services Union (HSU) Victoria/Tasmania, and the United Firefighters Union (UFU) have reached a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) with the Victorian Government. This agreement covers approximately 65,000 public sector employees across various industries, including education, health, community services, fire services, and other essential services.

The key features of the new EBA include:

1. A 3% wage increase over three years: The agreement provides a 1% wage increase in the first year, effective from July 2022, followed by another 1% increase in each of the subsequent years.

2. Bonus payments: Eligible employees will receive an additional one-off bonus payment of $1,400 each. This payment is expected to be made before the end of the year.

3. Women's health leave: Under the new agreement, female employees will have access to ten days of paid women's health leave per year. This leave can be used for various reasons related to women's reproductive and menstrual health, including menstrual leave, pregnancy loss, and other related conditions.

4. Flexible work trials: The EBA includes provisions for flexible work trials, allowing employees to request flexible work arrangements for up to six months. These arrangements may include flexible hours, working from home, or job sharing.

5. Other benefits: The agreement also includes various other benefits such as increased parental leave entitlements, improved provisions for part-time and casual employees, and enhanced provisions for employees with disabilities.

The union representatives have expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating that it addresses the concerns of their members regarding wages, job security, and work-life balance. The Victorian Government has also expressed its commitment to supporting the public sector workforce and ensuring fair wages and conditions. The agreement is expected to be ratified by the end of the year, following the necessary consultations with union members and other stakeholders.