- Cook Government welcomes the UPFU
membership accepting its wage offer
- Almost 90% of public sector
workers have accepted the current wages policy
- WA Government continues to
bargain in good faith to resolve remaining agreements
The United Professional Firefighters Union of Western Australia (UPFU) has advised
its membership has by a majority voted in favour of the wages offer made by
Government.
Firefighters will receive a
wage increase of $60 per week or 3% per annum – whichever results in a higher
outcome – with backpay to 9 June 2023 and a $3,000 cost of living payment.
Firefighters will also benefit
from increased penalty rates in their
annualised wage and an increase in the overtime penalty rate to 150%. Compassionate
leave for early pregnancy loss, and foster carer's leave have also been
introduced.
During the life of the
agreement, firefighters will also receive an increase to employer superannuation contributions equating to 1.5% reflecting
the quantum of superannuation guarantee increases.
Negotiated outcomes have now
been secured for 43 industrial agreements covering almost 90% of public sector
workers under the current wages policy.
Negotiations are continuing
with unions covering prison officers and registered nurses.
Comments attributed to Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston:
"A majority of UPFU members have
voted in support of this wages policy offer, joining the majority of public
sector workers in Western Australia.
"I
commend the UPFU for their resolve and good faith in reaching this outcome and encourage
other unions who are yet to accept the current wages policy to do the same.
"The
Cook Government continues to engage with unions in good faith and looks forward
to securing outcomes for its workforce."
