Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697635314028.pdf (Australia)
Hi My name is Elizabeth Crowe and I work as an APS 3 Service Officer with the PBS authorities telephony team in Melbourne.

I commenced working with the APS in December last year after a redundancy that followed a period of 6 months of unemployment.

Since joining the APS I have won via the 'Order of merit' process, an APS 4 position in an acting role when an opportunity becomes available.
I have won a second place in the APS Bright ideas competition with my idea of implementing a fully integrated Coaching and Mentoring program for APS 3 and 4.

I volunteer as my floor Fire Warden and am an enthusiastic Morale Booster program volunteer for my floor.

I list these achievements because I want to demonstrate my dedication to my job and the organisation.
In return for my efforts, I learn that the orgnisation to which I have dedicated my efforts seeks to take away my ability to bargain with them in good faith with all the protections and supports that a well consulted and collaborated EBA would provide all APS employees.

Due to the 6 month period of unemployment following the redundancy, which was as a direct result of government policy, I experienced significant and devastating financial loss.
I am a woman who financially supports myself and have done all my working life.

The position I found myself in through no fault of mine was humiliating.

The redundancy happened as a result of an unsuccessful tender process resulting in families and workers being left to the mercy of the struggling labour market.

The organisation I worked for was a Non for profit Regional Employment Provider with very successful star ratings in terms of performance.
All I wanted to do when commencing with the APS as a non ongoing employee and then becoming permanent ongoing, was to work hard and be rewarded for that hard work via a fair remuneration structure that includes fair wages and incremental increases upon achieving agreed performance indicators.

To have to wait indefinitely for a pay rise that has been earnt fairly, is simply unfair and dare I say it un-Australian.
I see the effects on the public of the cuts to staffing and the relentless casualisation of the APS workforce, producing inadequately trained employees with no long term commitment to the APS.

These casuals contracts continued to be renewed year after year an sometimes up to 3 years.

As a new employee of the APS I will have been involved in 3 vote processes regarding our EBA within an 11 month period of time.
With the department seemingly 'holding out' on giving workers the rights and conditions we need to do our jobs with certainty and pride.

I learnt that as a rostered employee I may be expected to work split shifts, which would be impossible for me, because I live in a Regional city and would not be able to travel back to work for a split shift as I live over an hour from work.
I would like to see the stalemate resolved and our rights and entitlements reinstated as a priority as soon as possible, so I can continue to work faithfully or the APS with pride.

The Government's APS Bargaining PolicySubmission 526 Regards Elizabeth Crowe The Government's APS Bargaining PolicySubmission 526