What is collective bargaining?

Collective bargaining is how union members, through your union, negotiate a new agreement covering pay, hours, safety, progression and protections.

Why it matters in Child Safety & Youth Justice:

Better staffing and safer caseloads. Stronger supports after critical incidents. Recognising the realities of remote work and vicarious trauma. Fair pathways for AO classifications and specialist roles.

It’s not just about improvement: What could be at risk.

During bargaining, the employer can propose changes that may reduce your entitlements, cut allowances, or weaken protections. Without strong union participation, there’s a risk of losing hard-won conditions or seeing workloads increase. Bargaining is your chance to protect what matters most, make improvements , and to stop cuts before they happen.

Standing together matters most.

The more members who stand together, the stronger your voice. When you and your colleagues act collectively, you can secure improvements, defend your rights, and ensure the agreement reflects the real needs of departmental staff and the communities you serve.