When you tire of seeing your Secretary’s face on the Channel 7 news.
When your organiser’s face is red and strained from begging you to come to a protest.
When you stand shoulder to shoulder with comrades who’ve got your back.
And when your ears are still ringing from the sound of 100,000 voices united as one, and the energy of the movement stays with you.
When you hear the bosses acknowledge the power of our collective strength.
That’s when you’ll know that you’re in a union.
PUBLIC SERVICE REVIEW
Last week saw the Victorian Government announce the public service review.
In response the CPSU leadership addressed the press, announced a lunchtime protest at Treasury Place and booked information sessions for members.
It’s a nice first step. But ask yourself, deep down… do you think they’re serious?
Right now, do you think they’re developing a media campaign? How many people do you think they really want at that 3 March protest? Do you think they will take your uncomfortable questions and push the government for real responses?
If your answers are ‘no’, ’30 max’ and ‘no’ again, you need to join us.
Because like us, deep down, you don’t know if the CPSU is working for you.
THE CHALLENGE
We all pay our union fees hoping that when the chips are down the union will have our backs. Last week the government well and truly laid down the challenge to the CPSU.
They are banking on the union sitting back and taking what they are given. It is up to us to make sure they don’t.
We need to make sure public servants are heard, seen and believed. We need to make sure the public know that when our jobs are cut we all lose. If the CPSU leadership won’t make that argument, we will make it for them.
We cannot afford a repeat of the 2023 cuts where the leadership promoted departure packages as the best they could do.
Accepting a return to 2019/2020 staff numbers after Black Summer and the height of COVID-19 will have consequences for you, your colleagues and society.
A VOICE FOR MEMBERS
That’s why we at A Voice for Members are taking a stand.
We want a break from the passive union responses of the past.
We want to make the union a force that people know.
If we are successful in the 2025 CPSU election, we promise you, you’ll truly know that you’re in a union.
WHAT’S ON – RALLY
STOP PUBLIC SERVICE CUTS
Tuesday March 4 at 5:30pm at Parliament House
The Victorian Government has announced massive job cuts, slashing vital public services and leaving workers and communities worse off.
These cuts will hit hardest where support is needed most—don’t believe the hype! You can’t cut public service jobs without undermining front line services!
We won’t stand by while livelihoods are destroyed and essential services are gutted.
Join us for a rally while Parliament is sitting, to fight to stop these attacks.
Rally with us to defend jobs, protect services, and hold the government accountable!
This rally has been held, thanks to all who organised, participated, and attended!
I’ve been a member of CPSU for 1 year and, before that, the AEU for many more.
Where do you work and what do you do?
I’m in a reform area of the Department of Education doing policy and data analysis.
Why did you join A Voice For Members?
Our union is small and weak, thanks to the failures of our current leadership. Now more than ever, we need strong, active unions, so I decided to get involved to help make it better.
What’s your vision for the CPSU?
My vision for CPSU VIC is that we build unity and numbers, because that’s where our strength lies, at both local and system levels.
We need accountable leadership, and fair and transparent processes. The union should genuinely represent the concerns of members, and it must have the muscle to make things happen.
Whether or not our candidates get elected, that’s something A Voice for Members will continue working to achieve.
