SCU Staff Lodge Ground Breaking Green Pay Claim

The Southern Cross University Branch of the CPSU/PSA met today and unanimously voted to endorse a log of claims for a 9% per annum pay rise linked to environmental sustainability.

Following the vote, the CPSU log was served on the university.

The CPSU claim includes the following environmentally sustainable measures:

• Ways to reduce the carbon footprint and increase energy efficiency of the University
• Sustainable staff transport initiatives
• Resource reduction through flexible work arrangements, such as staff working from home.

The CPSU is also seeking claims that will allow workers to better balance work and family life, including:

• Better recognition of indigenous families
• 2 weeks paid grandparent leave
• 6 weeks paid partner leave
• School holiday care allowance
• Financial support for on-campus childcare.

"We are also seeking the University to recognise a wider definition of family to include aunts, uncles and significant others, to ensure our Indigenous staff have full access to family leave and entitlements and that the University commits to Indigenous employment targets."

The CPSU recently completed an intensive round of member-based focus groups from which the log of claims was developed. Staff focus groups are a first for the sector and the CPSU is rolling this approach out at all universities.

CPSU Industrial Officer, Matthew Henderson, said, "The focus groups proved to be a successful way to find out what members really want and we hope this will set the standard for member-driven bargaining in the sector."