WorkChoices = $17000 pay cut in AVO

Date: 30 March 2006

The Community and Public Sector Union has slammed a move by the Australian Valuation Office (AVO) to use the Government's new workplace laws to put staff on individual contracts (AWA) that cut employment conditions and reduce pay - in some cases by thousands of dollars.

The individual contracts were issued earlier this week despite the fact that 91 out of the AVO's 105 strong workforce have signed a petition requesting the right to be covered by a union collective agreement. The current AVO certified agreement expires this week and AVO management are refusing negotiate a replacement with the union.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones said the AVO's actions demonstrate that WorkChoices removes choice for workers and give employers "all the cards" in workplace bargaining.

"Management are denying these workers real bargaining choice so they can use WorkChoices to cut their pay and conditions. This case is a real test for the Government. Does WorkChoices give staff a say in determining what sort workplace agreement they have, or not?" asked Mr Jones.

According to the CPSU, as well as cutting base salary rates for some staff, the individual contracts issued by the AVO remove many existing entitlements that will impact on take home pay including; access to overtime payments; higher duties allowance, flex-time, personal leave and other conditions.

AVO individual contract: Proposed AWA $80,000 (base salary) Current agreement $97,951 (base salary)

For comment: Stephen Jones + 0417 261 152 

CPSU media officer: Dermot Browne 0408 265 081

For further information

Contact:	Stephen Jones
Union:	CPSU national secretary
Phone:	0417 261 152
Email:	media officer
WWW:	Dermot Browne 0408 265 081

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