Housing ACT staff have today taken a one-hour work stoppage after they voted overwhelmingly in support of industrial action against the Barr Government. This comes after bargaining negotiations stalled between the Government and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) who represent a workforce that is under resourced and undervalued by the ACT Government.
The union says public sector workers, which includes Housing ACT members who are striking today, are fed up with the ACT Government taking their hard work and dedication for granted and are calling for a pay rise that keeps up with inflation.
The CPSU says the Barr Government continues to insult these workers by offering them a dismal 3% increase in their pay, an offer that doesn't even keep up with the government's own parking increases that have gone up 3.5%, let alone CPI which is currently at 4.6%.
Housing ACT is kicking off this industrial action by taking today's one hour stoppage after more than 95% of CPSU members voted to take industrial action in support of higher pay last Thursday. These workers are being supported by CPSU members in public service jobs across Canberra.
Housing ACT staff look after the ACT Government's public housing. They deliver frontline services for Canberrans who need to access public housing, they support housing tenants, assist with rental bonds and provide Canberrans families with the support and financial assistance they need to stay safe and homed.
They have continued to deliver these services, despite the Barr government slashing jobs in the critical agency and in the face of increasing occupational violence.
Public sector workers have been bargaining since August last year for a pay offer that values and respects the work they do and keeps up with the cost of living.
The CPSU lodged Protected Action Ballots on behalf of members on the Health Professionals and Admin Enterprise Agreements on 9 April. Voting on the ballot opened on 23 April and from the first day, the CPSU saw members vote in massive numbers in support of taking industrial action including strikes, work bans and overtime bans.
The union has said industrial action will continue if the Barr Government fails to negotiate in good faith and pay these workers what they deserve.
Quotes attributable to Maddy Northam, ACT Regional Secretary, CPSU:
"Housing ACT staff take that first phone call from Canberrans when they find themselves in difficult circumstances. They stay with them every step of the way delivering the services they need to get a home.
"At the same time, these public sector workers have to deal with frustrated, and at times aggressive members of the community.
"So for this Government to offer them a 3% pay rise that doesn't even keep up with inflation is an absolute disgrace.
"What it shows is a government that does not value public sector workers; it does not value the expertise they have, and it does not value the demanding nature of these roles.
"I say to this Barr Government - come to the table with a pay offer that will allow these ACT Government workers to pay their bills and put food on the table, or you will continue to face strikes across the service.
"Does Andrew Barr want widespread industrial action to be his legacy?"
