CPSU MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 29 September 29, 2011

 

Nuclear agency staff launch industrial action

 

CPSU and AMWU members at the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) will take industrial action Friday 30 September over significant delays with their new enterprise agreement.

 

Staff and management at the highly respected nuclear safety agency reached in-principle agreement on pay and conditions over three months ago. The deal featured an agreed pay offer of 10% over 3 years which was blocked by the Minister. Negotiating parties agreed a similar offer with a mix of pay rises and bonuses and it is still being blocked.

 

Alistair Waters CPSU Deputy National President said, “The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) and the Special Minister of State, the Hon Gary Gray, are blocking the agreement despite ARPANSA, the unions and staff reaching an agreement in good faith.”

 

 “The APSC and Minister are blocking the nuclear safety regulator from honouring the agreement it has reached in good faith. This is no way for a Government committed to good faith bargaining to be acting”.

 

ARPANSA staff now join other federal public servants taking industrial action to secure fair agreements.

 

The ARPANSA action by nuclear scientists, technicians and administrative staff will initially take the form of work bans but may escalate if the Government and APSC continue to delay the proposed agreement.

 

“ARPANSA employees’ patience has worn thin. They reached agreement with ARPANSA in good faith over three months ago,” said Mr Waters.

 

“The Government and the APSC are being bloody minded and it is time they started acting in good faith as well. Every day delayed means staff are worse off.”

 

 

For comment:

 

Matt Wood     0418 263 295