UNION WIN: NSW public sector workers to get 20 days’ paid domestic violence leave

The NSW branch of Professionals Australia has been a driving force in negotiations for improved domestic and family violence leave entitlements for NSW public sector workers.

Improvements to domestic and family violence leave entitlements have been central to the Combined Rail Unions (CRU) claims throughout negotiations at Sydney Trains and NSW Trains for over 18 months.

Following extensive discussions with unions, including Professionals Australia, the NSW government has finally committed to providing hundreds of thousands of public sector workers with 20 days’ paid family and domestic violence leave from January 1.

These leave provisions will be provided to all employees - including temporary and casual staff. The existing domestic violence leave entitlement is 10 days, and is not available to casuals.

The Professionals Australia bargaining team, led by Principal Industrial Officer, Natalie Falvey, has been advocating and representing the interests of Professionals Australia’s members on this issue directly with the state government, alongside the CRU.

This win will provide vital support to people experiencing domestic and family violence and will ultimately save lives.