Fires grip large parts of NSW. PSA CPSU NSW members in the Rural Fire Service, Forestry Corp, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Corrective Services, Housing and Fire & Rescue are put to work fighting the blazes and helping in their aftermath. Sadly, a member from TAFE is among the 34 people killed.

As COVID-19 arrives in Australia, members work on through a pandemic, both in the community and working from home. The Association’s membership  climbs back over 38,000.

Union members in prisons take steps to keep the pandemic out of gaols, while schools throughout NSW switch to home-learning. Events such as PSA CPSU NSW Annual Conference, and the election for union officeholders are cancelled.

The CPSU NSW gets coverage in the state’s newest – and largest – prison, the Clarence Correctional Centre.

A number of PSA members in Police Aviation get a huge windfall when thousands of dollars in underpayments are discovered.

After a sustained campaign by the PSA and other groups the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo is saved from closure.

Union pressure and the aftermath of bushfires keeps Forestry Corporation of NSW in public hands.

The PSA CPSU NSW election, postponed due to COVID-19, is held. Stewart Little is re-elected as  General Secretary, with Troy Wright returned as Assistant General Secretary. The membership elects a new President; Nicole Jess from Corrective Services.

NSW undergoes a more severe lockdown, which starts in June and is tapered out by December. Large numbers of people work from home, an option not available to many PSA CPSU NSW members. COVID-19 is largely kept out of prisons, with a breakout in September contained.

PSA pressure forces then Treasurer Dominic Perrottet to abandon his plan to limit the public sector pay rise to 1.5 per cent.

When Premier Gladys Berejiklian resigns over ICAC investigations, she is replaced by Dominic Perrottet, a zealous advocate for privatising state assets.

NSW Police announces closure of Police Radio at Penrith putting 70 jobs in jeopardy. After a quick, well-organised PSA campaign, the Police cancelled the move.

COVID-19 infections jump up dramatically in January 2022 with the pandemic continuing to impact on all aspects of life in Australia.

Lismore floods on 28 Feb peaking at a record 14.4 metres. Lives are lost due to the unprecedented flooding cause by a deluge of rain. Lismore is then flooded again on 30 March.

PSA announces financial support for members impacted by floods, similar to the support offered during the bushfires in 2020.

The Public Sector Needs a Pay Rise campaign launched as the cost of living starts to increase at a much higher rate than experienced for many years. The PSA continues to campaign for the Coalition government’s public sector wage cap to be removed and that the power to set wage increases is handed back to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

In May, the Australian Labor Party, led by Anthony Albanese, wins the federal election.

PSA Day of Action around the state. Thousands of members strike in support of the PSA’s The Public Sector Needs a Pay Rise campaign.

December 2022: PSA commissions two TV ads as part of our state election campaign.

February 2023:  The PSA’s seven-week state election campaign, Privatisation Hurts Everyone, kicked off in early Feb. After years of campaigning against the privatisation of public services and assets, the general public’s perception of how privatisation has had a negative impact on public services and how the sale of public assets has only ever transferred public wealth into private hands is finally being better understood. PSA’s TV ads go live on social media (Facebook and YouTube) and later during Channel Nine 6pm news.

The NSW Labor Opposition is campaigning against privatisation, having often been in favour of it when they were last in government.

March 2023: Unions NSW are running their own campaign, Essential Workers Deserve Better, but have also embraced the PSA’s Privatisation Hurts Everyone campaign, in particular, our campaign against the possible privatisation of Sydney Water. The public almost unanimously are outraged by the suggestion that water could be privatised.

March 2023: Labor wins the NSW state election on 25 March 2023 with a minority government, ending 12 years of Liberal-National coalition government. Chris Minns becomes the 47th Premier of NSW.

April 2023: During the state election campaign, the PSA campaigned around several issues including the following: The restoration of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC); The scrapping of the wages cap and the “efficiency dividend”; A commitment to job security with no forced redundancies; An end to the inappropriate use of casuals, temporary staff, labour hire and consultants; The repeal of the Government Sector Employment (GSE) Act, replacing it with modern legislation in consultation with public sector unions.

Also the PSA pushed for both major parties to convert thousands of temporary staff in schools into ongoing permanent positions.

May 2023: WHO declares end to covid emergency. Estimated 20 million people dead.

May 2023: Australia is experiencing a cost-of-living crisis brought on by high inflation and years of stagnant wage growth. New NSW premier Chris Minns and a number of ministers attend PSA Annual Conference signalling a much-improved relationship between the PSA and government. The NSW Government amends the state constitution to protect Sydney Water and Hunter Water from future privatisation.

May 2023: The PSA wins permanent positions for thousands of schools’ members.

May 2023: The PwC tax scandal is an ongoing scandal involving PwC’s abuse of Australian Government secrets to enrich itself and its corporate clients. PwC, and other Big Four accounting firms, give advice to governments on writing tax law, and also corporations seeking to avoid those laws. The PSA opposes the inappropriate use of consultants and believes public service work should be done by public servants. The PSA is pushing the government to cease the improper use of consultants.

June 2023: NSW Government offers a 4.5 per cent wage increase (including 0.5 per cent superannuation increase). This is accepted by the PSA membership. This is the highest annual wage rise in 20 years.

August 2023: PSA campaigns for a YES vote in the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.

October 2023: Australian Indigenous Voice referendum was held on 14 October 2023. NO Vote was 60 per cent.

November 2023: After years of PSA campaigning against private prisons, the NSW Government announces that Junee Correctional Centre will come into the public sector once the current private contract expires in early 2025. The PSA will continue to campaign for the return of Parklea Correctional Centre.

December 2023: While prices continued to rise for most goods and services, annual CPI inflation has fallen from a peak of 7.8 per cent in December 2022, to 4.1 per cent in December 2023.

December 2023:The PSA’s Child Protection in Crisis campaign starts to take shape.

February 2024: PSA continues to campaign for better pay and job security for members working in several agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office and Special Constables. After many years of getting nowhere with the Coalition government, the PSA’s more productive relationship with the Minns government is more likely to yield results.

February 2024: The Powerhouse Museum closes for refurbishment. PSA protests the lack of a plan and the relocation of members to other sites.

March 2024: The Federal Labor government announces super will be paid on federal paid parental leave.

March 2024:  PSA partners with OSARA Health to offer members and their families cancer care support.

April 2024: Child Protection workers begin to take industrial action in specific locations with a state-wide walkout planned for 8 May.

April 2024: Average house prices and weekly rents hit new record pushing more people into homelessness and keeping the cost of living as the number one issue for most Australians.

April 2024: Floods again bring PSA members in SES to the rescue.

April 2024: The Minns government announces $148m in education budget cuts due to falling public school enrolments.

May 2024: The PSA is demanding better wages and conditions for Child Protection Caseworkers as the government finds it impossible to recruit and retain Child Protection workers. With a huge number of vacancies and wages that have not kept up with the private sector, thousands of children at risk are being left without support. Hundreds of foster children are living in motels with private sector contract workers.

The wider union movement with the PSA win tougher laws on knife crime.

May 2024: PSA campaigns hard for tougher sentencing for domestic and family violence offenders.

May 2024:PSA Annual Conference celebrates 125th anniversary. The theme honouring or past, building our future, recognises the work by all members to secure better futures that has resulted in better pay and conditions along with increased equality in the workplace. But this must continue.

June 2024: PSA pushes for improved public service pay offer for 2024.

June 2024: NSW Parliament creates Industrial Manslaughter laws after years of union campaigning.

June 2024: Unions call for an end to “Junior Wages” for workers aged 18-21

Essential workers leaving Sydney for other states (especially Queensland) as housing becomes too expensive for those on the median salary.

June 2024: State Budget includes record funding for “social housing”.

June 2024: After the PSA’s anti-privatisation message at the 2023 state election, the privatisation of public services and assets appears to be extremely unpopular with NSW voters.

June 2024: Private schools continue to be over funded while public schools are underfunded.

July 2024: Housing and Cost of Living continue to be a major concern to most Australians.

July 2024: Sheriff’s Officers take industrial action as part of the PSA’s Undervalued, Understaffed, Underpaid campaign.

July 2024: PSA WIN for members in Transport (link to bulletin).

July 2024: Child Protection workers continue walkouts across the state

July 2024: PSA runs Domestic and Family Violence campaign calling on government for better funding, more support for victims and harsher penalties for offenders. PSA campaigns to keep Mount Druitt DV centre staffed and open.

July 2024: Industrial Court re-established in Bridge St, Sydney.

August 2024:  PSA continues negotiations with the government for a better outcome on wages.

August 2024: Premier Minns wants public servants back in the office but PSA says Working From Home (WFH) is here to stay for many members. The PSA’s statement sees a boost in membership numbers.

August 2024:  Right to Disconnect law passed

City and Southwest Metro stage of the metro line opens for business, connecting the North West region of Sydney to the heart of the city and beyond. Results in reduced commuter times.

August 2024:  Gender pay gap is slowly closing after years of union campaigning but still much more to do.

PSA’s Junee office opens for business. With Junee Correctional Centre coming into public and Corrective Services control, the PSA is able to establish good relationships with the current workforce resulting in new members signing ready for the transition in 2025

September 2024: PSA is currently running several campaigns: Child Protection in Crisis, Sheriff’s Officers’ Undervalued, Understaffed, Underpaid campaign, as well as campaigns on behalf of Special Constables, Fisheries Officers, Psychologists and others.

October 2024: The Minns Government has committed to expeditious negotiations with the PSA regarding a new Fisheries Award.

November 2024: PSA CPSU NSW Aboriginal Conference 2024 held in Newcastle.

November 2024: The current Minns Labor government has pledged not to privatise public services, but the PSA continues to promote our anti-privatisation message. Our goal is to make sure that the failures of privatisation in NSW are fully understood and to discourage any future government of adopting a privatisation agenda.

December 2024: ABS confirms union membership is on the rise with an additional 200,000 members nationally since Oct 2022.

February 2025: Housing and cost of living continue to dominate political discourse.

March 2025: NSW Minns Governement and Federal Albanese Government agree $4.8b funding boost for public schools.

March 2025: PSA is working with the government on a new Award for Child Protection workers.

March 2025: After years of campaigning by the PSA, the Minns Government announces return of Parklea Correctional Centre back into public hands.

March 2025: Rural Fire Service of NSW members vote to accept $5m payment to settle backpay dispute.

March 2025: CPSU NSW will campaign against 155-185 Professional Staff job cut announced by Wollongong University.

March 2025: PSA is fighting to have casual Field Officers recognised as ongoing employees. We are currently in dispute with Corrective Services NSW.

April 2025: After years of PSA campaigning, the privately run Junee Correctional Centre was handed over to Corrective Services NSW.

April 2025: Stewart Little re-elected PSA General Secretary for another four-year term. Nicole Jess re-elected PSA President. Troy Wright re-elected AGS. 39 Central Councillors elected.

April 2025: PSA campaigns for better pay for NSW public service Psychologists.

May 2025: Australia held its federal election on May 3, 2025. The Albanese-led Labor government secured a decisive majority, while the Liberal Party and the Greens experienced significant losses.

May 2025: PSA CPSU NSW Annual Conference 2025 opened by NSW Premier Chris Minns. This was his fourth year attending our Annual Conference.

May 2025: PSA Legal Counsel Alison McRobert appointed NSW Industrial Relations Commissioner.

June 2025: Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Bill 2025 was passed by the NSW Parliament on 27 June 2025, this legislation introduces significant reforms including compliance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) Codes of Practice, expands union rights to initiate WHS prosecutions and exercise right of entry, establishes new anti-bullying and sexual harassment jurisdiction within the NSW Industrial Relations Commission for workers not covered by the Fair Work Act and enhances powers for the Commission to address WHS matters.

This is described as the biggest increase in working rights in over 30 years. Key components include: gender equity and safer workplaces in public sector and local government; enforceable safety rights; stronger powers to deal with workplace bullying & harassment; ability to dispute unsafe return to work; more accountability for safety regulators.

June 2025: Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 introduced on 27 May 2025 has faced strong opposition from the PSA and other unions, citing concerns over reduced support for workers with psychological injuries.

June 2025: PSA’s “Child Protection in Crisis” campaign win includes $190m to recruit 200 new Child Protection caseworkers and retain existing workers with increased pay.

July 2025: Paid parental leave entitlements expanded to 24 weeks starting 1 July 2025, with a planned increase to 26 weeks by 2026.

August 2025: CPSU NSW secures 12% pay increase over 3 years for members at Serco’s Clarence Correctional Centre.

August 2025: Stewart Little elected Federal Secretary of the CPSU SPSF federal office.

August 2025: CPSU NSW Branch Secretary Stewart Little, CPSU NSW Assistant Branch Secretary Troy Wright and CPSU NSW President Nicole Jess re-elected for another term.

August 2025: ACTU called for legislation or policy to allow a shorter work week (4 days) without loss of pay.

August 2025: The NSW Government announces job cuts in several agencies: Transport for NSW 950; WaterNSW 300; Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 170;, Art Gallery of NSW 51. The PSA CPSU NSW campaigns against these job cuts and fight to members’ job security.

The tertiary sector is targeted for job losses.

TAFE NSW 100; University of Technology Sydney (UTS) 400; Western Sydney University 238; University of Wollongong 100.

PSA CPSU NSW urges a rethink in the sector.

The new laws tighten access to compensation for psychological injuries and changing how impairment is assessed. Physical injury arrangements are largely unchanged. The Opposition supported the changes after an 18-month premium freeze/cap was introduced.

CPSU NSW members considered an improved pay offer worth 16.92 per cent between March 2026 and January 2030, alongside improvements to flexible work, parental and personal leave, change management and union delegate rights.

The PSA continued representing Environment Protection Authority members affected by organisational change, mobility matching and the consequences of the staffing reductions announced in 2025.

CPSU NSW entered a new round of enterprise bargaining with Serco for supervisors at Clarence Correctional Centre, following previous union gains at the privately operated prison.

A PSA campaign over unpaid overtime succeeded, with Service NSW acknowledging that employees must be paid for all time worked and agreeing to backpay affected workers.

The PSA and other Combined Transport Unions secured a delay to proposed workplace-presence arrangements at Transport for NSW while negotiations continued over employees’ rights and working arrangements.

The Department of Communities and Justice began change-management processes affecting Casework Specialists and Managers Practice and Permanency, with the PSA representing members through the changes.

The PSA won a major Industrial Court test case when Justice Chin ruled that a Community Services Field Officer whose employment was regular and ongoing could not properly be treated as a casual. The decision had potential implications for casual employees across the NSW public sector.

The NSW Government announced reforms designed to return greater accountability for foster care to the public child-protection system. The PSA welcomed the direction of the reforms after campaigning over the fragmentation and outsourcing of child protection.

Following the PSA’s overtime victory, negotiations continued over how unpaid overtime would be calculated and repaid to Service NSW workers.

The PSA moved towards resolving the long-running Service NSW overtime dispute, consulting members on arrangements for calculating and paying backpay.

The PSA moved towards resolving the long-running Service NSW overtime dispute, consulting members on arrangements for calculating and paying backpay.

The PSA challenged SafeWork NSW over travel expenses and P-Card arrangements affecting inspectors, beginning a dispute that would ultimately produce backpayments and revised travel arrangements.

A landmark survey of more than 5,000 PSA CPSU NSW members found widespread housing stress among public sector workers. The union’s Housing Affordability Survey and Policy Recommendations 2026 argued that housing affordability had become an industrial as well as a social issue.

Members voted to accept a resolution of the Service NSW overtime dispute. The settlement followed the PSA establishing that Service NSW had breached the Award and that employees were entitled to payment for unpaid overtime.

Delegates from across NSW came together for the union’s major annual decision-making forum, setting priorities for the PSA CPSU NSW and highlighting campaigns across public services, housing, workplace rights and essential services. The conference is the union’s largest annual forum, bringing together the Executive, Central Council and workplace delegates.

CPSU NSW continued bargaining and job-security campaigns across NSW universities, including Western Sydney University, University of Wollongong and University of Sydney, against the backdrop of extensive restructuring and job losses across the tertiary sector.

Rather than concentrating solely on workplace bargaining, the PSA increasingly linked members’ working lives to broader public-policy issues during 2026, particularly housing affordability, domestic and family violence services and disability services.

Following publication of the union’s housing report, the PSA stepped up its campaign for greater government involvement in housing and affordable accommodation for essential public sector workers.

The PSA intensified its campaign for a stronger government role in domestic and family violence services, arguing for properly funded, accountable services and greater public-sector involvement in the state’s response to DFV.

With changes to the NDIS creating concerns about people falling through service gaps, the PSA advocated a state-run safety net for people with disability requiring support.

CPSU NSW successfully stopped proposed staffing reductions at Life Without Barriers’ Jamieson Road houses in Emu Plains.

The PSA challenged SafeWork NSW over the introduction of new travel arrangements without an agreed policy and continued pursuing members’ travel entitlements.

SafeWork Inspector delegates and PSA representatives met Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis to raise workplace health and safety and industrial concerns affecting inspectors.

Professional staff members endorsed the CPSU NSW Log of Claims for Round 10 enterprise bargaining at UOW, beginning negotiations over a new agreement.

The PSA continued negotiations over Transport for NSW’s Workplace Presence Policy, seeking protections for flexible working arrangements after a year of discussions.

The inflation safeguard negotiated as part of the PSA’s three-year NSW public sector wages agreement was triggered, delivering eligible members a taxable payment of up to $1,000 in addition to the scheduled 2026 pay increase.

The third year of the PSA-negotiated wages agreement delivered a further 3 per cent salary increase from July 2026. Together with previous increases and superannuation changes, the original agreement provided a compounded 11.4 per cent increase over three years.

Thousands of PSA members working in NSW public schools received the July pay increase and the PSA-won $1,000 cost-of-living payment.

PSA members in NSW Police secured backpay for meal allowances, one of the significant member wins highlighted by the union during 2026.

Members reported unsustainable workloads, staffing gaps, system problems, leadership instability and classification creep. The PSA sought an urgent meeting with the EPA Chief Executive.

CPSU NSW professional staff moved towards finalising a new agreement incorporating pay rises and improvements negotiated through the bargaining campaign.

The PSA wrote to Premier Chris Minns seeking implementation of recommendations from the Broderick Review into NSW parliamentary workplaces, including legislative reform and greater job security for Members of Parliament staff.

The historic standalone Child Protection Award won in 2025 provided another 3 per cent salary increase in July 2026. The Award had already delivered substantial classification and salary improvements, overtime protections, 200 additional caseworkers and 100 Leading Caseworker positions.

Restructures and job-security disputes remained a major theme throughout 2026, including the EPA, Department of Customer Service, Child Protection, cultural institutions and other agencies. The PSA’s 2025 history already records the beginning of the broader NSW Government job-cut program, making the continuation of that fight in 2026 historically relevant.

The PSA formally launched its Beyond Broderick campaign on 6 August, calling for safer workplaces, secure employment, updated role descriptions and full implementation of the Broderick Review recommendations for parliamentary staff.

PSA representatives met Sophie Cotsis on 4 August to raise job insecurity, outdated role descriptions and implementation of the Broderick Review.

The PSA lodged an industrial dispute after Revenue NSW moved to change flex-time arrangements without agreement, arguing members’ conditions could not simply be altered unilaterally.

The PSA lodged a dispute over the Department of Customer Service’s Government Technology Platforms restructure, raising concerns about job losses, consultation and what the union described as increasing casualisation.

The PSA raised concerns about a major restructure of Child Protection and Permanency, arguing that frontline caseworkers required adequate support and additional resources rather than simply moving existing resources around.

PSA organisers took the domestic and family violence campaign to Child Protection and Permanency workplaces across regional NSW, seeking frontline workers’ input into the campaign.

The PSA worked with Parklea Correctional Centre employees as they prepared to transition from private operator MTC to Corrective Services NSW, providing advice about employment offers, continuity and the transfer process.

The PSA continued representing Parklea workers transferring to Corrective Services NSW and secured additional time for employees to deal with their transition paperwork.

The PSA reached agreement with SafeWork NSW over the long-running travel-allowance dispute. Eligible inspectors were to receive payments for qualifying travel dating back to 1 January 2023, alongside development of a new travel policy.

The PSA welcomed the creation of secure, ongoing public sector positions at EnergyCo as part of the delivery of NSW’s energy infrastructure.

The PSA lodged a dispute in the Industrial Relations Commission over the Department of Education’s refusal to pay eligible lunch meal allowances.

The PSA and its General Assistant Advisory Group highlighted an increase in General Assistant entitlements in NSW schools while continuing to campaign over workload, staffing, classification and pay.

CPSU NSW accused University of Sydney management of undermining bargaining after management presented a new package without adequate notice to the union bargaining team.

The PSA said the Department of Customer Service was pressing ahead with job cuts while refusing a union request for documents considered necessary to properly assess the restructure.

The PSA sought member input through an occupational violence survey after concerns about aggression, filming of workers and safety risks in Housing Services workplaces and field work.

Changes to NSW workers compensation arrangements, particularly for psychological injury claims, took effect from 1 July and became an important workplace issue for PSA members during the second half of 2026.

The PSA entered consultation over a restructure affecting the Premier’s Department Corporate Services Procurement team.

The PSA sought member feedback on a proposed Screen NSW organisational restructure affecting functions, reporting lines and positions.

Government outsources a number of child protection jobs

Crown Employees receive second pay rise installment of 4 per cent from a 3-year agreement.

PSA wins lactation breaks clause for breastfeeding mothers

Domestic Violence Leave Win. UNSW Enterprise Agreement includes new DV Leave clause

Nathan Rees proposed Ferries privatisation. Abandoned by Kennelly. Twice privatised, twice renationalised.

Partial Power sell-off under a Labor Government

NSW Lotteries a state-owned corporation of the NSW Government is privatised under license for 40-years for a fee of $1 billion. The license was made in spite of the $330 annual income NSW Lotteries generates.

After Labor considered then rescinded privatising Sydney Ferries, NSW Liberal Government places it on the table again.

O’Farrell government pushes forward with plans for the full privatisation of NSW electricity assets

June: The previous NSW Labor Government’s 2.5 per cent wage cap policy is legislated by O’Farrell Government sidelining the Industrial Relation’s Commission (IRC). The Government aslso dumps Labor’s “no forced redundancies policy”

NSW Public Sector Commission (PSC) created by O’Farrell Government (Public Service Board was scrapped by Greiner)

NSW Government announces 5000 public sector job cuts

PSA and 34 other unions lobby for action on climate change

March: Liberal leader Barry O’Farrell elected NSW Premier

PSA wins a Domestic Violence clause

Government decision to allow recreational shooting in National Parks as a concession given to the NSW Shooters Party in return for support of legislation for the sale of electricity assets.

The PSA campaigns against shooting in National Parks citing one of the reasons being safety of employees within NSW National Parks.

Sydney’s desalination plant, built to increase water security for the Sydney region is sold to Canadian Teachers pension fund.

NSW Budget announces an additional 10,000 public sector jobs to go.

Government makes drastic cuts leaving many injured workers worse off.

Anne Gardiner elected General Secretary. Sue Walsh re-elected President. Steve Turner re-elected AGS. Shane O’Brien elected second AGS (later replaced by Greg Delprado).

8 October 2012 PSA “Enough is Enough. Stop The Cuts” rally is held at Sydney’s Town Hall, with a large gathering of public sector workers opposing the cuts being made by the O’Farrell Government.

A new agency, Service NSW is announced and is expected to open in 2013.

Government announces $1.7 billion cut to Education and Communties.

To fund transport infrastructure, the government cuts 400 School Administration Support Staff (SASS) and 600 Department of Education roles.

PSA challenge to 2.5 per cent wage cap in the High Court set for 5 September 2012.

Grafton gaol closed.

O’Farrell government lodges application in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission for a new Conditions of Employment Award that would scrap hard won conditions won over many decades.

O’Farrell government freezes funding for Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) services and directs $1.3 billion in additional funding to private sector operators.

O’Farrell and Baird start thousands of job cuts in the public sector.

NSW Department of Education launches Local Schools, Local Decisions reform.

NSW Government plans to outsource all Out of Home Care (OOHC) (foster care) services to private sector within 5 years with 1000 jobs to be cut in Department of Family and Community Services.

O’Farrell government pushes ahead with plans to sell off energy assets. A poll of Daily Telegraph readers had 68 per cent against privatisation of energy assets. PSA also opposes privatisation.

Workers Compensation benefits slashed.

NSW government passes the Government Sector Employment Act 2013

Sydney University CPSU members strike and picket in support of their Enterprise Agreement.

Land and Property Information agency privatisation proposed by Government.

National Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry and Office of Heritage and Environment delegates lead campaign against recreational hunting in NSW National Parks

PSA President Sue Walsh says the PSA will “explore the prospect of a pay equity case for SAS Staff.”

Changes to workers’ compensation laws in NSW saw the removal of “to and from work” coverage. The PSA introduces Journey Insurance for its’ members to help against those situations where a member is injured going to or from work.

Introduced to allow the NSW Government to privatise all public disability services and transfer all clients, staff and assets to the private sector.

Fight against ADHC privatisation continues with large rally outside Parliament in November 2014

Community Services members walk off the job at Coniston office to protest staff shortages

TAFE forced to compete with a for-profit private sector as NSW Government hands money to private training providers.

Save Our TAFE campaign launched.

PSA “Which direction are we headed?” ad campaign prior to state election.

At the March 2015 election, Mike Baird led the Liberal-National Coalition to a second term.

NSW Coalition Government continues to ramp up its privatisation agenda. Mike Baird vows to get on with power privatisation.

Nov 2016: Orange by-election. PSA campaigned with Unions NSW against Nationals. Shooters Fishers & Farmers Party wins the seat.

Oct 2016: PSA members elect Stewart Little, General Secretary, Kylie McKelvie President and Troy Wright, Assistant General Secretary on a platform of “Rebuilding Our Union”.

PSA CPSU NSW retains coverage of all Home Care Service members as they transition into the federal industrial relations system, and become employees of Australian Unity.

NSW Government pushes ahead with the privatisation and outsourcing of a number of public services, including public housing.

State government plans to privatise Land Titles Office

PSA confronts private gaol plans as the state government plans to “market test” the operations of NSW prison

The privatisation of the department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) becomes unstoppable as the NSW Government pushes ahead with the complete withdrawal from all publicly run disability and home care services.

Unions campaign against cuts to weekend and public holiday penalty rates.

After PSA pressure, Berrima gaol is reopened to reduce overcrowding.

PSA campaigns around a number of issues affecting members including stronger protection for workers injured or killed at work, improved workers’ compensation, against the privatisation of NSW Sports & Recreation and for Domestic Violence Leave for all NSW workers.

Driving rain fails to prevent the PSA marching through the Sydney CBD in support of Disability Support workers, bringing traffic to a standstill.

CPSU NSW campaigns to strengthen a TAFE system weakened by government cuts and neglect.

Stillbirth Leave is inserted into the AusGrid Enterprise Agreement after campaigning by the CPSU NSW and testimony from Delegate Leanne Smith.

Community Services members walk off the job state-wide after a bungled case management system is rolled out, putting children at risk.

The PSA has a major win for School Administrative and Support staff with the pay equity case. Read more: www.psa.asn.au/special-announcement-pay-equity-case-win

The PSA joins up with other unions to form the Emergency Services Coalition, which unites Prison Officers with Firefighters, Paramedics and Police Officers.

PSA CPSU NSW celebrates 120 years of fighting for NSW workers, leading this year’s May Day parade through the streets of Sydney

Members in Justice get extra protection as PSA launches a legal fund

The PSA CPSU NSW introduces a new way to reach out to members with a weekly podcast series.

PSA wins pay equity for librarians and archivists employed in the NSW public sector.

Paid maternity leave in the NSW public sector increases from nine weeks to 14 weeks.

January: Sydney Harbour Bridge becomes cashless with 51 permanent Toll Collectors affected. The 46 PSA members either took voluntary redundancy or opted to move to other jobs within the RTA. The PSA  had a long-standing agreement with the RTA that none of our members would be forced out of employment through the move

April: Stop the Cell-Off rally. PSA campaigns against the privatisation of Parklea and Cessnock prisons. About 1500 prison workers march on State Parliament in protest at plans to privatise Cessnock and Parklea Gaols. Cessnock remains in state hands.

PSA campaigns against the privatisation of the Superannuation Administration Corporation (Pillar)

July: Crown Employees receive this year’s 4 per cent pay rise as part of last year’s negotiation of a 3-year award (12.48 per cent over 3 years)

PSA secures Purchased Leave Scheme for members

PSA campaigns to improve professional standing of School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs)

Government backs down on planned privatisation of School General Assistants

The PSA and Professional Officers Association (POA) amalgamate.

PSA wins demarcation battle over employees of the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (now part of Service NSW). The stoush had been going since the 1970s, when the Awards were divided by gender: the PSA represented female employees and their Award; and the Australian Transport Officers’ Federation (ATOF) represented the male employees Award. The issue went through the Industrial Relations Court, The Australian Industrial Relations Commission, and finally the High Court of Australia. In March 1995 the PSA began representing all staff in the department.

Referendum of SPSF members to amalgamate with the Public Sector Union (Federal public service union) forming the CPSU-SPSF.

In the first stoppage of PSA members, Prison Officers walk off the job.

The four-division structure is reviewed at the PSA’s Annual Conference.

Workplace Groups are introduced to the structure.

After negotiations with the PSA, the NSW public sector introduces permanent part-time work.

The President, Deputy President and Treasurer are elected for first time by ballot of all members, rather than by Annual Conference delegates.

General Secretary and Vice Presidents are elected by a ballot of members for the first time.

PSA membership exceeds 32,000

Maternity leave in the NSW public service is extended to unmarried women and temporary employees.

The equal pay principle is extended to include the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.

The Women’s Auxiliary is renamed Women’s Council.

Separate eligibility lists for men and women in the NSW public service are abolished.

The PSA wins the Equal Pay Case for Female Salaried Officers employed by the Department of Motor Transport.

State Public Services Federation (SPSF) is established to give state PSAs across Australia a national voice.

PSA membership reaches 19,453

Submissions were made to the Public Service Board for the removal of barring married women from permanent public service positions. Although unsuccessful, the 1960s saw the PSA become highly active in women’s rights in the workplace. Equal pay, and permanency for married women were fought for all through the 1960s. Both rights were only granted after many years of union organising.

Seventy per cent of the 12,000 women in the Professional, General and Clerical Division of the NSW Public Service were employed under insecure conditions.

The Federal Equal Pay Case establishes the principle of equal pay for equal work.

Membership hits 8430.

Australian women’s minimum wage set to 75 per cent of men’s.

At the Annual Conference PSA membership votes to affiliate with the Labor Council (later named Unions NSW). The PSA was the only public sector union to affiliate with a State statutory body at this time.

A government report recommends reviewing the status of some temporary employees, giving those eligible permanent roles.

The NSW Government legislates for six weeks’ paid maternity leave for permanent officers.

In January female clerical officers gained 85 per cent of the male rate.

At the Annual Conference, the membership voted for the first time to affiliate with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). Although the vote was defeated, membership voted to instruct the general secretary to report on the viability of affiliation with State associations. The PSA did affiliate with the ACTU in 1965.

During the 1940’s, the PSA affiliated to the NSW Labor Council, which is now called Unions NSW.

The PSA successfully campaigned for the establishment of a Crown Employees Appeal Board.

Jean Arnot, through her tireless work on the Women’s Auxiliary (Council), Jean was awarded the PSA Gold medal.

The end of WWII sees public sector employment and PSA membership grow substantially. The Public Works Department in particular begins a period of doubling its staff members; a department with strong union sentiment during this period.

The PSA joins with 53 other Australian unions to campaign for the 40 Hour Week. It took until 1948 for the Commonwealth Arbitration Court to approve a 40-hour, five-day working week.

Women are finally permitted to sit for NSW public service exams.

Dissatisfaction with wage stagnation continuing in the post-war period, and a perceived lack of support from the PSA sees clerical members of the PSA form a break-away union – the NSW Public Service Clerical Officers’ Association (COA). The COA was refused registration with the NSW Industrial Registrar, and the COA amalgamated with the PSA in 1953.

The PSA wins campaign to gain access to arbitration.

The union’s Women’s Auxiliary is established.

Jean Arnot appointed Chairwoman of the PSA’s Women’s Auxiliary. Mis Arnot was also the PSA representative of the equal pay committee at meetings with the Premier’s Department that same year.

Wages restored to pre-depression levels. The Great Depression saw wages cut, superannuation fund “raided”, and jobs lost.

Membership nears 7000.

With war breaking out again, more women and retired public servants are recruited.

The PSA is registered as an industrial union under the Industrial Arbitration Act, 1912.

The NSW public service creates a “female office assistant” classification. Unsurprisingly they are paid less than male clerks.

Women are excluded from sitting for the NSW public service exams.

The Temporary Officers Act is set up to provide work for returned servicemen. This saw the percentage of women employed in the sector to drop, as male candidates were preferred.

State Premier Jack Lang brings the ALP back to power, and the public sector grows substantially over the next two years, as does PSA membership.

The PSA’s newspaper name is changed to Red Tape.

The PSA creates four internal divisions: Clerical, GeneraI, Professional and Education.

Colonial employees make moves to form a Public Service Association

On 16 March 1899 at a meeting in the Arron’s Exchange Hotel on Gresham Street Sydney with the PSA opening its’ initial office in Bridge Street, Sydney.

The first Public Service Journal is published.

It is a big year with the first Public Service Association of NSW Council elected, along with it the first country branch when Moree begins

The Public Service Act 1902 prohibits the appointment of married women to the NSW public service if their husband is already employed by the state.

The Public Service Act makes provision for temporary employment in the sector.

The PSA launches its first major campaigns around equal pay, superannuation and employment conditions.

Australia becomes involved in WWI as part of the British Commonwealth. Many PSA members went off to fight, and membership shrank. The NSW public sector employed temporary workers (many of whom were women) and union membership was not seen as advantageous to them.

Following a referendum of members, the PSA is registered under Trade Union Act, 1881.

The basic female wage is set at 54 per cent of the basic male wage.