On Thursday 10 September, your Steering Committee delegates once again met with the Departments to progress negotiations for a new offer for Child Safety and Youth Justice members.
Child Safety tabled, as requested, the cultural safety plans that have been formulated across the Department. Your union noted that this request took quite some time to be fulfilled, which speaks further to our claim that cultural safety matters should be reported centrally.
Child Safety also sought further information from delegates, specifically around Claims 1 (staffing baseline) and 5 (workload and support staff), which has been provided out of session. There was also further discussion on Claim 8 (overtime for all staff). The Department has advised they are continuing to review all claims and this information was to inform their considereations.
Previously, Youth Justice had taken the lead in seeking clarification and further information on members' claims, so it was important that Child Safety also joined this conversation.
Together delegates also indicated that they are open to meeting more frequently than once a week in order to progress an acceptable, and timely, settlement.
It's also important for members to know about the State Wage Case, a process driven by Together and other unions, that has delivered a 4.75% wage increase to those covered by this EB. It will be backdated to 1 September. Once we know when this will be processed and in members' payslips, we'll let you know.
This union win is important because it means the threat of withdrawing backpay is no longer an issue, as your State Wage Increase has overtaken the wages policy in bargaining.
Of course, for members in Child Safety and Youth Justice, wages are not the only important aspect of bargaining and, when there is a new offer on the table, will consider it in its entirety.