On Tuesday, 8 June, the CPSU NSW attended conciliation before the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW (IRC) 2021 in relation to our salary claim of 2.5 per cent (2.04 per cent plus 0.5 per cent in super). The matter did not settle.
The Government’s 1.5 per cent offer (1.04 per cent plus 0.5 per cent in super) would represent a real wage cut to members’ wages based on the same methodology applied by the Full Bench of the IRC in the 2020 Salaries case.
Last year, the Government argued that economic data should be considered over a two-year period and this was accepted by the Full Bench. The outcome was the paltry 0.3 per cent salary increase members were awarded.
Your union’s position is that applying the same economic analysis as last year would justify a 2.5 per cent wage increase.
The matter is listed for further conciliation/directions on Wednesday 30 June 2021. However, the CPSU NSW is prepared to proceed with hearing the case to ensure members get the maximum allowed under the State Wage Cap of 2.5 per cent (inclusive of superannuation increases).
If the matter does not resolve at further conciliation, then we will proceed to arbitration. The IRC has set aside five days in the week of 18 October and 25 October for the hearing of our case.
We will continue to keep you informed as the matter proceeds.
