The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is facing renewed scrutiny from its employees amid contentious wage negotiations. 

The Taxation Officers’ Branch of the Australian Services Union (ASU) has announced its intention to take the ATO to the Fair Work Commission in an effort to enforce fair bargaining practices.

The ASU's move aims to compel the ATO to disclose internal documents that could shed light on its struggles to attract and retain staff due to uncompetitive pay levels. 

The revelation could influence the government's decision regarding the proposed 11.2 per cent pay increase over three years, which has been rejected by all unions. 

Strikes have already begun across various agencies, and more are planned to pressure the government and Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher to improve compensation for permanent public servants.

The impasse in pay negotiations poses a significant risk to key projects and policies, as agencies are increasingly relying on external consultants, contractors, and temporary hires to fill crucial roles at higher costs than permanent staff.

“The ASU has received advice from ASU EL2 members that the ATO is experiencing difficulties recruiting and retaining the highly skilled staff it needs for its work because its salary levels are not sufficiently competitive in the labour market,” said ASU branch secretary Jeff Lapidos.

“The ASU believes that reports would have been provided to ATO senior management about this situation. There is currently an impasse on the pay offer made by the Commonwealth Government through the APSC. 

“None of the APS Unions consider the pay offer is adequate.

“The ASU wishes to obtain objective information held by the ATO about the difficulties it has experienced recruiting and retaining the highly skilled staff it needs so we can raise these issues with the Government and, if necessary, in the court of public opinion.”

The ASU set a deadline of October 16 for the ATO to provide the requested bargaining information; otherwise, they will refer the matter to the Fair Work Commission.