Period leave, pay rises and flexible work trials for Victoria’s public service

The Victorian Public Sector (VPS) union, the Australian Education Union (AEU) Victoria, the Australian Services Union (ASUVAS), the Health Services Union (HSU) Victoria/Tasmania, and the United Firefighters Union (UFU) have reached a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) with the Victorian Government. This agreement covers approximately 85,000 public sector employees across various industries such as education, health, community services, fire services, and other essential services.

The key features of the new EBA include the following:

1. Pay Rise: All eligible employees will receive a 3% wage increase over three years. This equates to an average wage increase of around 1% per annum.

2. Bonus Payments: Each employee is expected to receive an additional one-off payment of approximately $1,400 as part of the agreement. This payment is intended to help offset the cost of living increases during the term of the EBA.

3. Women's Health Leave: Under the new agreement, female employees will be entitled to ten days of paid Women's Health Leave each year. This leave is intended to support the physical and mental wellbeing of women, particularly those who have experienced pregnancy loss, menopause, or other women's health issues.

4. Flexible Work Trials: The EBA includes provisions for flexible work arrangements, allowing eligible employees to request trial periods to test their ability to work flexibly. This includes requests for part-time work, job sharing, and other flexible arrangements that can help employees balance their work and personal commitments more effectively.

5. Other Benefits: The EBA also includes various other benefits such as increased superannuation contributions, improved allowances, and enhanced provisions for employees with disabilities.

The new EBA is expected to be ratified by the relevant unions and the Victorian Government in the coming weeks. Once approved, the agreement will apply to all eligible employees covered by the various unions from the date of ratification until June 2025.

It is important to note that the specific terms and conditions of the EBA may vary depending on the individual union and the specific industry or sector involved. Employees are encouraged to contact their union representatives for more detailed information on how the agreement applies to their specific circumstances.

Overall, the new EBA represents a significant win for Victorian public sector employees, providing them with increased wages, bonuses, and improved working conditions to help support their wellbeing and work-life balance.