Labor weighs into debate after Department of Human Services pay offer

Date
    July 24, 2014


Senator Doug Cameron Doug Cameron has accused the government of “threats” and “aggressive” industrial tactics in pursuit of its cost-cutting agenda.   :(      



The federal opposition has weighed into the fight over wages and conditions at the Commonwealth’s biggest department, with Labor accusing the government of “aggressive” tactics.

The Department of Human Services’ 30,000 public servants have been offered just 1.15 per cent a year, which will be slashed to about 0.75 per cent annual pay rise if they do not sign up by a September 1 deadline.

The offer is also conditional on about $250 million of wages increases, working hours and annual leave being traded away and DHS bosses are keen to put the deal to a workforce ballot as soon as possible, bypassing trade unions.

Labor’s Shadow Minister for Human Services Doug Cameron came out swinging on Thursday morning, accusing DHS of “threats” and “aggressive” industrial tactics in pursuit of the Abbot government’s cost-cutting agenda.      :(

“The Abbott Government’s aggressive tactics in negotiating an employment agreement with Department of Human Services workers is a disturbing sign of things to come for public servants across Australia,” Senator Cameron said.

Senator Cameron said the government’s threat to cut its pay offer if bureaucrats do not sign on within five weeks was “unacceptable for the department that delivers vital front-line services such as Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support.”

“Tony Abbott is trying to force department workers to sign immediately by threatening further cuts if they don’t,” Senator Cameron said.      :(

“This government is focused solely on cost-cutting, which ignores key drivers of efficiency, productivity and customer service.

"Negotiations should be focussing on drivers of productivity such as workforce skills, investment in technology, improved management systems and work organisation and a strong customer focus."

Shadow Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Brendan O’Connor joined his colleague’s attack, saying the Abbott government was taking a “wrecking ball” to public service jobs.      :(

“The dirty details of this deal reveal Tony Abbott wants to do away with collective bargaining and productivity improvements and instead only look at the bottom line,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Mr Abbott is using the public service as a test-bed for his extreme industrial relations agenda and that should worry all Australian workers.”      :(

Public Service Minister Eric Abetz's office has been contacted for comment.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/labor-weighs-into-debate-after-department-of-human-services-pay-offer-20140724-zw9t8.html#ixzz38N4DLOEI

Bring it on, the backlash at the next election will be swift and fatal for the LNP.

Quote:

“Tony Abbott is trying to force department workers to sign immediately by threatening further cuts if they don’t,” Senator Cameron said.

I thought there were laws against bullying. Seems to be OK as long as it is management doing it.

wrote on Jul 24^th, 2014 at 6:15pm:

Labor weighs into debate after Department of Human Services pay offer Date     July 24, 2014 Senator Doug Cameron Doug Cameron has accused the government of “threats” and “aggressive” industrial tactics in pursuit of its cost-cutting agenda.   :(       The federal opposition has weighed into the fight over wages and conditions at the Commonwealth’s biggest department, with Labor accusing the government of “aggressive” tactics. The Department of Human Services’ 30,000 public servants have been offered just 1.15 per cent a year, which will be slashed to about 0.75 per cent annual pay rise if they do not sign up by a September 1 deadline. The offer is also conditional on about $250 million of wages increases, working hours and annual leave being traded away and DHS bosses are keen to put the deal to a workforce ballot as soon as possible, bypassing trade unions. Labor’s Shadow Minister for Human Services Doug Cameron came out swinging on Thursday morning, accusing DHS of “threats” and “aggressive” industrial tactics in pursuit of the Abbot government’s cost-cutting agenda.      :( “The Abbott Government’s aggressive tactics in negotiating an employment agreement with Department of Human Services workers is a disturbing sign of things to come for public servants across Australia,” Senator Cameron said. Senator Cameron said the government’s threat to cut its pay offer if bureaucrats do not sign on within five weeks was “unacceptable for the department that delivers vital front-line services such as Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support.” “Tony Abbott is trying to force department workers to sign immediately by threatening further cuts if they don’t,” Senator Cameron said.      :( “This government is focused solely on cost-cutting, which ignores key drivers of efficiency, productivity and customer service. "Negotiations should be focussing on drivers of productivity such as workforce skills, investment in technology, improved management systems and work organisation and a strong customer focus." Shadow Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Brendan O’Connor joined his colleague’s attack, saying the Abbott government was taking a “wrecking ball” to public service jobs.      :( “The dirty details of this deal reveal Tony Abbott wants to do away with collective bargaining and productivity improvements and instead only look at the bottom line,” Mr O’Connor said. “Mr Abbott is using the public service as a test-bed for his extreme industrial relations agenda and that should worry all Australian workers.”      :( Public Service Minister Eric Abetz's office has been contacted for comment. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/labor-weighs-into-debate-after-department-of-human-services-pay-offer-20140724-zw9t8.html#ixzz38N4DLOEI

You miss spelt Unions..

Lol , Doug Cameron another imported union plonker.

Should of sent him home with mcternin.

labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 24^th, 2014 at 8:39pm:

Lol , Doug Cameron another imported union plonker. Should of sent him home with mcternin.

While you're at it:

"Tony Abbott was born in London (UK) on November 4th, 1957.

"His family moved to Australia in September, 1960 as part of the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme."

its important public servants are given pay adjustments according to productivity.
I'd think a 10 % pay cut would be reasonable, 20 % if they dont sign up by september deadline.

Dnarever wrote on Jul 24^th, 2014 at 7:32pm:

Quote: “Tony Abbott is trying to force department workers to sign immediately by threatening further cuts if they don’t,” Senator Cameron said. I thought there were laws against bullying. Seems to be OK as long as it is management doing it.

Now you're getting there - it's always been that way since the demise of the strong Union movement.

wrote on Jul 24^th, 2014 at 6:15pm:

The Department of Human Services’ 30,000 public servants have been offered just 1.15 per cent a year, which will be slashed to about 0.75 per cent annual pay rise if they do not sign up by a September 1 deadline

this is the same type of crap Newmans been trying in Qld ... it has backfired on Newman and it'll backfire on Abbott.

You'd think they would have learnt their lesson by now.

Hi Crook,

I truly have New Age clairvoyant powers.


I predicted the Abbott Austerity Program Jul 3rd, 2013:

http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1372809408


I also predicted the return of Workchoices Aug 30th, 2013:

http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1377816010/15


I started a thread on Abbott's Workchoices back in Aug 4th, 2012

http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1344031972/0

Pantheon wrote on Jul 24^th, 2014 at 8:28pm:

wrote on Jul 24th, 2014 at 6:15pm: Labor weighs into debate after Department of Human Services pay offer Date     July 24, 2014 Senator Doug Cameron Doug Cameron has accused the government of “threats” and “aggressive” industrial tactics in pursuit of its cost-cutting agenda.   :(       The federal opposition has weighed into the fight over wages and conditions at the Commonwealth’s biggest department, with Labor accusing the government of “aggressive” tactics. The Department of Human Services’ 30,000 public servants have been offered just 1.15 per cent a year, which will be slashed to about 0.75 per cent annual pay rise if they do not sign up by a September 1 deadline. The offer is also conditional on about $250 million of wages increases, working hours and annual leave being traded away and DHS bosses are keen to put the deal to a workforce ballot as soon as possible, bypassing trade unions. Labor’s Shadow Minister for Human Services Doug Cameron came out swinging on Thursday morning, accusing DHS of “threats” and “aggressive” industrial tactics in pursuit of the Abbot government’s cost-cutting agenda.      :( “The Abbott Government’s aggressive tactics in negotiating an employment agreement with Department of Human Services workers is a disturbing sign of things to come for public servants across Australia,” Senator Cameron said. Senator Cameron said the government’s threat to cut its pay offer if bureaucrats do not sign on within five weeks was “unacceptable for the department that delivers vital front-line services such as Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support.” “Tony Abbott is trying to force department workers to sign immediately by threatening further cuts if they don’t,” Senator Cameron said.      :( “This government is focused solely on cost-cutting, which ignores key drivers of efficiency, productivity and customer service. "Negotiations should be focussing on drivers of productivity such as workforce skills, investment in technology, improved management systems and work organisation and a strong customer focus." Shadow Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Brendan O’Connor joined his colleague’s attack, saying the Abbott government was taking a “wrecking ball” to public service jobs.      :( “The dirty details of this deal reveal Tony Abbott wants to do away with collective bargaining and productivity improvements and instead only look at the bottom line,” Mr O’Connor said. “Mr Abbott is using the public service as a test-bed for his extreme industrial relations agenda and that should worry all Australian workers.”      :( Public Service Minister Eric Abetz's office has been contacted for comment. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/labor-weighs-into-debate-after-department-of-human-services-pay-offer-20140724-zw9t8.html#ixzz38N4DLOEI You miss spelt Unions..

You misspelt misspelt.......

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 24^th, 2014 at 8:45pm:

labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 24th, 2014 at 8:39pm: Lol , Doug Cameron another imported union plonker. Should of sent him home with mcternin. While you're at it: "Tony Abbott was born in London (UK) on November 4th, 1957. "His family moved to Australia in September, 1960 as part of the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme."

That's a cheap shot, greggery. I was born after 1960 so Abbott's been an Australian longer than me.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 24^th, 2014 at 8:45pm:

labor are corrupt wrote on Jul 24th, 2014 at 8:39pm: Lol , Doug Cameron another imported union plonker. Should of sent him home with mcternin. While you're at it: "Tony Abbott was born in London (UK) on November 4th, 1957. "His family moved to Australia in September, 1960 as part of the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme."

Abbott has been here since he was a toddler, you halfwit !