Direction to PSA members at the Crown Solicitors Office: Industrial action to end at 5pm Friday 22 December 2017
Following the decision of a meeting of members at the Crown Solicitors Office on 21 December, the PSA Executive directs members working at the Crown Solicitors Office to cease all industrial action from close of business (5pm) on Friday 22 December 2017.
Members reluctantly voted to accept the recommendation of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) to cease their industrial action around the open plan proposal.
Members should take all steps to ensure that paper forms recording billable hours are available to be input after the first day back from the holiday closedown.
This means that if a member is not going to be back on that day, they must give their forms to a colleague who will be back to input on their behalf.
At a second dispute hearing at the IRC on 20 December 2017, Commissioner Newall maintained that the IRC does not have the jurisdiction to direct management to consult on the open-plan itself, that the industrial action be lifted, but that consultation is to continue.
Although Crown Solicitors management has not agreed to consult on the open plan proposal, the action has already been a success.
The majority of members participated in the industrial action, sending an unequivocal message rejecting management’s approach of ramming through open plan without listening to the serious objections raised by staff.
Members at the meeting discussed the next stage of our campaign, including returning to the Industrial Relations Commission, lobbying politicians, approaching the Department of Justice, circulating an employee survey, increasing the visibility of opposition through stickers, posters and badges and many more ideas.
The fight is by no means over.
The union is now in a stronger position as a result of this impressive demonstration of solidarity and determination by you, the members.
Your PSA delegates are:
Leigh Plater – Senior Solicitor (x 85377)
Teri Southwell – Legal & Financial Administration Officer (x 85410)
Your PSA staff are:
Surabi Alauddin – PSA Organiser
Andrew Boulton – PSA Industrial Officer
Andrew Wright – PSA Industrial Officer
The PSA is your voice in the workplace. Encourage your colleagues to join the PSA online at https://membership.psa.asn.au/Register