Public servants say keeping their current conditions is a higher priority than just more pay.

Government staff have been surveyed on what they think are the big points, as their brawl with the Federal Government over pay and conditions continues.

Industrial action in agencies such as Medicare and Centrelink is ongoing, with the public service union and Government locked in dispute for more than 18 months.

There was a hint of a breakthrough last week, with the Federal Government increasing the maximum wage rise it will offer public servants from 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent.

News outlets are reporting on a leaked Commonwealth and Public Sector Union (CPSU) survey covering over 7,000 members, which found:

  • 94 per cent say maintaining their rights and conditions is more important than a “bigger pay rise”
  • 99 per cent want protections including redundancy and redeployment to stay
  • Public servants’ second highest priority was to preserve take-home pay

CPSU secretary Nadine Flood called on the Government to listen to the staff.

“The biggest concern across the public sector is maintaining rights and conditions that make their lives work, so that's the big issue; Government's got to fix it,” Ms Flood told reporters.

“There are strong concerns about removing work and family protections and right that give workers some control over their working hours.

“For example, part timers who could be forced to work full-time or extended hours so they can't pick the kids up from school or childcare.”

Workplace agreements for the 165,000-strong public service expired on June 30, 2014.