Source: The Mercury. Wages, according to the Reserve Bank and almost every economist, are too low. In Tasmania, they are lower than in any other state — and particularly among the State Government’s 32,000 employees. Those low wages have two main economic effects. It’s the main reason for astronomically high household debt. And it’s why people […]

Living free from violence is everybody’s right. As a society we have a responsibility to make sure victims of family violence get the support they need. But right now, Tasmanian women and children can’t get the help they need. The Family Violence Counselling and Support Service provide help and support so Tasmanians can leave violent […]

Child Safety Officers do their best to protect Tasmanian children and support families but there are simply not enough of them. This week researcher Professor Fiona Arney warned that there was a child protection crisis across Australia. Although her study into South Australia’s child protection system, the Professor said this was a wider, Australia wide […]

We know Premier Will Hodgman’s unfair wages cap is hurting all Tasmanians. Andrew Pitt from menswear stores Neil Pitts told the ABC: “My father has been involved in retail since 1949, and he thinks August was the quietest month in 70 years,” Mr Pitt said. “Low wages growth, that’s a big factor I would say […]

On Friday September 9 a strong contingent of proud CPSU women joined other unionists at the 2018 Unions Tasmania Women’s Conference. They listened to ACTU President Michele O’Neil and commentator and activist Van Badham, amongst other workshops and panels.  Kim Swiadek, Department of Health Delegate, was one of the CPSU members who went along. “I […]

Future work and HSRs – What will the challenges be for representatives? Presented by Unions Tasmania in conjunction with WorkSafe Tasmania, these free forums (breakfast provided) are an opportunity for HSRs from across industry to meet, network and learn in an informal setting. In line with the Month’s ‘Future of Work, Future Challenges’ theme, guest […]

CPSU members In South Australia rallied last week in response to the state budget that sees cuts to services their communities need, jobs these workers count on, and selling off services.  Hundreds of prison guards walked off the job to protest the South Australian government’s plans to privatise the Adelaide Remand Centre.  The budget also […]

Public Sector Workers are employed to serve the Tasmanian people not the political interests of the government of the day. Clearly Health Minister Michael Ferguson was not interested in what senior clinician Dr Frank O’Keefe had to say about the under resourcing of our health services. But the public reaction to Dr O’Keefe’s comments and […]

Parks and Wildlife workers at St Helens put a huge amount of work around the festival; including ensuring patrons who camped did the right thing. Other Public sector workers, including those from our State Emergency Service also put in some hard yards.  Before and during the mammoth event, which attracted more than 20,000 people to […]

“I have listened to stories about how, in spite of working hard, public servants are struggling to pay bills and are making decisions to not pay for things like dental work, health insurance, vehicle maintenance, etc just to get by. “I think that sharing these stories is so important. It is a similar story that […]