CPSU/PSA

The Community & Public Sector Union (CPSU) is a union of public sector employees which is registered under Commonwealth industrial law. The Public Service Association of NSW is a union of public sector employees registered under NSW industrial law.

The CPSU, being federally registered, seeks awards and agreements through the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. The PSA, being state registered, uses the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

In 1976 eight state public service unions formed a federation which they registered as a federal union, the State Public Services Federation (SPSF).

In 1994 SPSF amalgamated with the Commonwealth public service union, the Public Sector Union (PSU), to form the Community & Public Sector Union. The two parts, SPSF Group and PSU Group, operate autonomously.

In establishing the SPSF the state PSAs paid a small fee to affiliate each member. That is members in NSW Government and NSW university employment joined the PSA and the PSA then paid an small affilation fee to the federal union. These small fees maintain a federal office of eight.

Most of the work done on behalf of university members is carried out by PSA-employed staff.

The members of the PSA of NSW are also the members of what is now called the CPSU (SPSF Group) NSW Branch. University members and delegates, even though they may identify themselves as CPSU, are represented at all levels of the PSA structure.