Tax staff reject pay offer

Tax staff reject pay offer

Australian Tax Office staff have narrowly rejected a new agency agreement
proposed by management. Their union described the offer as inadequate and
paltry.

ATO management offered a pay rise of 4% per year, but this was conditional
on meeting a range of targets relating to revenue collection, service standards,
“professionalism” (as measured by surveys of taxpayers), and successful
implementation of the GST.

The Community and Public Sector Union rejected the offer, demanding
instead an unconditional pay rise of 8% per year. The Australian Services
Union, which has a small number of members in the tax office, supported
the deal and help management sell it; the ASU has lost some members as
a result, who resigned in disgust at its divisive tactics.

The CPSU campaigned for a “no” vote using posters, stickers, leaflets
and email. CPSU members attached balloons with the words “vote no” printed
on them to their workstations, but these were removed by management.

The voting was very close, with 50.4% rejecting management's offer.
Management entrusted the conduct of the electronic ballot to a private
company, Price Waterhouse Coopers. The CPSU had requested that the Australian
Electoral Commission run it.

The vote was supposed to occur on June 5-7. However, a management blunder
resulted in staff of the Child Support Agency being able to vote, even
though they were not entitled to do so. Voting had to begin again, taking
place from June 7-9.

Following the “no” vote the CPSU has written to tax commissioner Michael
Carmody asking for a better offer. The union's tax section council has
decided that, if a better offer is not forthcoming, membership meetings
will be called to discuss further industrial action, including a strike
on July 3. 

From GLW issue 409