Opposition questions the Treasurer regarding the financial implications of a CEPU strike at Western Power and the government's wages policy. The Treasurer clarifies the provision in the PFPS relates to graduate nurses, not CEPU workers, and expects Western Power to adhere to the public sector wages policy.

AnsweredQoN 147Legislative Council
Asked
26 May 2021
Portfolio
minister representing the Treasurer

QuestionView source ↗

WESTERN POWER —
CEPU WORKERS — PUBLIC SECTOR WAGES POLICY
147. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Treasurer:
I refer to the two-day
Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union Western Power strike last week
and to the Pre-election financial projections statement , which
highlights —
A global provision has been included
in these PFPS aggregates to reflect the estimated financial impact of an
ongoing industrial negotiation � The quantum of the provision cannot be
disclosed at this time pending the outcome of negotiations.
(1) How much is the provision budgeted in the PFPS,
and what enterprise bargaining agreement wage increase does this equate
to for CEPU workers?
(2) Are Western
Power CEPU workers covered by the government's wages policy; and, if
so, will the only offer being made be $1 000 per annum, as was offered to
police, nurses and doctors?
(3) Will the
McGowan government ensure that further disruptions do not occur if this union
does not accept the wage offer put forward by the government?
(4) If no to (4), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the Leader of the Opposition
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me
by the Treasurer.
(1) The provision
referred to totals $36 million over the period 2021–22 to 2023–24
and relates to the government's decision to employ an additional 400
graduate nurses over the next two years. None of the provision applies to CEPU
members who work for Western Power.
(2)–(4) The
government's expectation is that government trading enterprises comply
with the public sector wages policy. Western Power has been negotiating with
the CEPU for nearly a year and remains open to further meetings. Western Power is seeking a fair and reasonable outcome for
Western Power's CEPU employees that is in line with community
expectations, industry standards and the public sector wages policy.

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