We Won’t Wait campaign continues – November 2018 (PDF version)

The “We Won’t Wait Campaign” is a call on all governments – federal, state and territory – to introduce 10 days’ paid Family Domestic Violence (FDV) leave as part of the National Employment Standards.

The PSA CPSU NSW along with other unions will take part in the We Won’t Wait campaign, culminating in 16 days of action leading up to the Council of Australian Governments meeting on the 9 December 2018.

Why 10 days?

Ten days’ paid leave is critical for PSA and CPSU NSW members who are experiencing FDV. The leave can be used to attend any FDV appointments such as court, medical, interviews, moving or FDV support services.

PSA CPSU NSW achievements

In 2010 the PSA’s Women’s Council created a model Domestic Violence Leave clause. Within the clause there were a range of entitlements such as 20 days’ paid leave and workplace support for those experiencing FDV.

University of NSW was the first to include a clause in an enterprise agreement, which allowed specific entitlements for employees to support them in the workplace and to be able to access leave for this purpose.

In 2011, after extensive campaigning by the PSA, the NSW Government agreed to provide an additional five days’ paid leave to public servants experiencing FDV. This was done by varying the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award, and other related PSA Awards.  This win meant that this ground breaking entitlement flowed on to all public sector workers such as teachers, police and nurses.

To date the PSA CPSU NSW have achieved FDV leave entitlements in many Federal Enterprise Agreements with up to 20 days’ paid leave.

NSW state public sector win!

On Thursday 15 November the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence announced all NSW Public Sector employees will have access to 10 days’ paid leave from 1 January 2019.

PSA CPSU NSW We Won’t Wait Day – 6 December 2018

As part of the ongoing Unions NSW campaign, each union is having a day to highlight the issue. This year the PSA CPSU NSW Women Council has nominated 6 December 2018.

The PSA CPSU NSW are conducting a number of events which include;

• PSA General Secretary Stewart Little raising a purple “we won’t wait” flag over PSA House
• PSA CPSU NSW websites will have their logos changed to purple
• A delegation of Women Councillors will lobby MPs.

What you can do?

• Wear purple
• Change your social media profile (image HERE)
• View the videos, read and share the factsheets and sign the petition HERE
• Hold a morning/afternoon tea at your workplace and talk about the importance of paid FDV leave (for assistance contact your local organiser)
• Send photos of you and your colleagues to PSA and CPSU NSW facebook pages #wewontwaitdv

The PSA CPSU NSW believes FDV leave is a universal right for all workers!

For support or information on family and domestic violence call 1800 RESPECT (ph: 1800 737 732) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.