POVB – member update – 27 Oct 2017 (PDF version)

Benchmarking

This week there were further benchmarking initial meetings at:

SPC

SAS increase x 1
AS loss x 3
SCO increase x 2
CO increase x 3

Long Bay Hospital 1+2

MOS loss x 1
SAS increase x 2
AS loss x 7
SCO loss x 12
CO loss x 10

As with the MSPC benchmarking figures, the loss at Long Bay Hospital is considerable also.  It goes without saying the POVB Executive will work closely with the delegates of both centres.

Next week we will be going to:

Dawn De Loas: 31 October
OMMPC: 1 November

These will be the last centres to be benchmarked this year.

South Coast Correctional Centre

I would like to congratulate the delegates at South Coast Correctional Centre who worked tirelessly to get a positive outcome in regards to how the VOR was being implemented at South Coast Correctional Centre.

This centre was having issues with a lack of information getting passed to members when after parade, throughout the day, changes were being made to the operation of the centre.

As per the safe staffing award any change to the operation of a centre must be relayed to members so they know the risks or non-risks to their safe working environment.

The delegates called a stop work meeting when it was continuing to happen, the members stood firm. A motion was put to management about what was acceptable with reasonable requests.

This centre is now working with a system that provides staff with the information that is imperative to make sure staff are aware of any changes to their work environment.

I congratulate the delegates and the members for getting the positive outcome. If any delegate is having similar issues the delegates of the centre would be more than willing to assist you with your issues.

Moree Court Cells

Moree Court Cells suffered a serious fire earlier this week. Two staff were hospitalised but now discharged from hospital and recovering at home.  The court cells have severe damage to them and the staff at that cell complex are going to have to work under difficult conditions in the future.

Firstly, I wish to commend the staff involved as they were able, at the risk to their safety, get the inmates out. This incident highlights the lack of breathing equipment for staff to respond for the extraction of inmates in these situations. The executive will be raising this issue with CSNSW not only for the Court Cells but for all centres.

Cyclic rostering

The business rules will be coming out to the delegates/centres to distribute to the membership for feedback.

Delegates will be attending PSA on 14 and
15 November and we would like any feedback by then please so it can be forwarded to CSNSW.

Mid North Coast

Mid North Coast has started the second phase of benchmarking and the staffing has been changed as per the plan.

There are several issues that have been happening at the centre, such as roles, responsibilities and delegations. Having only one SAS on a weekend when the facility has had numerous serious incidents has been raised as a concern.

I have been in contact with Chairperson of the centre and some issues are being dealt with locally and other issues will be dealt with via the CSNSW benchmarking reform meetings. The next meeting is this Monday coming.

The benchmarking issues at Mid North will be raised as an agenda item for the Delegates meeting in November.

John Morony

Jason and Darren attended the centre to assist organising the delegates for the sub branch.  I congratulate the delegates for putting their hand up to do the role. At times, it is a very difficult role to do with little thanks.

The POVB executive will assist them with any issues that arise when the new centre comes on line. We will also assist them in getting training from PSA.

 

Nicole Jess
Chairperson POVB