NEWSFLASH: We won casual conversion case

Last year the CPSU took a case to the Fair Work Commission to stop APS agencies from denying ongoing employment to casual employees who are eligible for conversion under the new casual conversion laws.

The Fair Work Commission has now found in favour of the CPSU, removing the loop-hole that allowed APS agencies to deny eligible casuals ongoing employment because there was "no existing vacancy". This loop-hole would have given APS agencies an effective veto, allowing them to side-step the new laws.

This is a big win for casuals.

It means that casual employees must be offered permanency if:

• They meet the eligibility criteria for conversion under the Fair Work Act (12 months' service, with a regular pattern of hours in the last 6 months); and
• They have been rated suitable in a merit selection process for a similar role (same classification, similar location, similar duties), and have been placed in an active merit pool in the last 18 months.

Casuals who are CPSU members can get all the advice and support they need

• Advice and support - members have access to our staff from 8am to 8pm AEST daily, for full advice and support to exercise the right to request permanency under the new laws. Call 1300 137 636.
• Resources for members only - members have access to resources including fact sheets on conversion rights, a right to request form ready for members to submit to their supervisor, and support from our legal team. For guidance on succeeding in a merit selection process, watch the Land the job you want webinar on our brand new member-only online learning platform.

Make sure you log in to the CPSU website to access these resources.

Thank you to all the CPSU members who contributed to this win. You can make a difference by encouraging your colleagues to join the union.