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 the following:

1. Wage increase: Public sector employees will receive a 3% wage increase over the life of the agreement, which is expected to last until mid-2025. This wage increase is in line with the Victorian Public Sector Wage Policy, which aims to ensure that public sector wages remain competitive with the private sector.

2. Bonus payments: Each eligible employee is expected to receive an average bonus payment of $1,400. These bonuses are intended to help offset the cost of living increases and to recognize the hard work and dedication of public sector employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Women's health leave: Under the new EBA, female employees will be entitled to ten days of paid women's health leave each year. This leave is intended to support the physical and mental wellbeing of women by providing them with additional time to attend appointments related to their reproductive and sexual health. This leave can be taken flexibly, allowing employees to take the days as needed throughout the year.

4. Flexible work trials: The EBA includes provisions for flexible work trials, which allow employees to request flexible work arrangements on a trial basis. These arrangements may include flexible hours, working from home, or job sharing. The trials are intended to help employees maintain a better work-life balance while also allowing employers to assess the impact of these arrangements on productivity and operational requirements.

5. Other provisions: The EBA includes various other provisions aimed at improving the working conditions and job security of public sector employees. These provisions include increased funding for professional development, improved consultation processes, and enhanced provisions related to job security and redundancy.

The new EBA is expected to be ratified by the relevant unions and the Victorian Government in the coming weeks. Once ratified, the provisions of the EBA will apply to all eligible employees covered by the agreement.