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 an in-principle agreement with the Victorian Government on a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) for over 85,000 public sector employees. This deal follows extensive negotiations between the unions and the Andrews Labor Government.

The agreement includes the following key components:

1. A 3% wage increase over three years: The wage increase will be distributed as follows:

- 1% in the first year

- 1% in the second year

- 1% in the third year

2. An average bonus payment of $1,400 per employee: This one-off payment is intended to help employees cover the cost of living expenses during the wage negotiation process.

3. Women's Health Leave: Under the new agreement, female employees will be entitled to ten days of paid Women's Health Leave each year. This leave can be used for various reasons related to women's reproductive and menstrual health, including menstrual leave, pregnancy loss, and menopause-related issues.

4. Flexible Work Trials: The EBA includes provisions for flexible work trials, which allow employees to request flexible work arrangements for up to six months. These arrangements can include changes to working hours, working patterns, or locations. The trials are designed to help employees maintain a better work-life balance while also allowing employers to assess the impact on their operations.

5. Other benefits: The agreement also includes various other benefits such as increased superannuation contributions, improved parental leave provisions, and enhanced provisions for employees with disabilities.

The unions have welcomed the agreement, stating that it represents a significant improvement in wages and conditions for their members. The Victorian Government has also expressed its satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong and well-supported public sector workforce.

The agreement is now subject to ratification by the union members and the Victorian Public Service Commission. Once ratified, the new EBA is expected to come into effect from July 2023.