PSA News – 28 November 2013
Have your say at Newcastle NDIS forum
The PSA is holding a second forum in Newcastle on 4 December at Panthers from 1pm to 3pm regarding the O’Farrell Government using the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as a Trojan horse to cut the choice and quality of services available to support people with a disability in NSW.
If you would like to submit a question to the panel or vote on the questions of others please go to
https://psa.asn.au/prevent-a-disability-disaster/
Consultative arrangements
In 2012, the Department of Premier & Cabinet (DPC) issued revised Consultative Arrangements: Policy and Guidelines.
This circular superseded the previous Consultative Arrangements: Policy and Guidelines from 1997.
There is a question as to whether the 1997 policy is able to be unilaterally changed by the DPC without the consent of the PSA.
If the PSA is successful in such an argument, then the 1997 policy, as a term of the Conditions Award, can only be varied by the Industrial Relations Commission.
Proceedings are on foot in the Industrial Relations Court to determine whether the 1997 Consultative Guidelines policy has been incorporated by reference as a term in the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009.
The matter was heard before Justice Walton on Friday 22 November 2013. We await his decision.
Howling success in NSW Police Force
When changes to rosters and duties for civilian staff working at the Police Dog Unit were made without proper consultation, the PSA stepped in to assist members.
Representations were made to NSWPF industrial reps via the JCC process and following meetings with management of the Dog Unit, the issues were resolved to the satisfaction of members.
Tackling TAFE
In TAFE there have been three bargaining meetings since 71 percent of staff voted down an inferior offer put forward by management.
We have been able to narrow down the outstanding issues, forcing TAFE to remove the claim to introduce part year employment.
The key issue now is a claim for back pay.
Higher education bargaining round up
Round 7 enterprise bargaining is under way and we have already had some great success.
The CSU agreement has been approved by the Fair Work Commission and delivers a salary increase of 11.9% (compounded at 12.46%) over 4 years. This is an average increase of 3.11% per year.
We are also making good progress at UNE, UWS, SCU, Newcastle and ACU.
At UNE, the University has agreed to our claim for domestic violence leave which is uncapped in the agreement.
UNSW bargaining has recently commenced while the University of Wollongong and Macquarie University are yet to begin.
We have also finalised an excellent agreement at the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) with a three year agreement at 4% per annum and a $1000 sign-on bonus for permanent employees ($500 for FTAs).
In addition we won:
- An extension to the existing Primary Carer leave which allows employees, irrespective of gender, to receive the full paid maternity leave entitlement of 33 weeks in certain circumstances
- Paid grandparent leave of 2 weeks.
Jenolan Caves – privatisation
The EOI process for the future management of the Jenolan Caves Visitor Use and Service Zone was released in June 2013.
The State Government has selected applicants who will submit their tenders by January 2014.
The PSA is now working with the Government and the prospective operators on cementing the best transitional arrangements for members, including protecting employment opportunities and retaining award conditions and salary.
Health & Safety rep training
The PSA is an accredited provider for Health & Safety Representative (HSR) Training and offers the five day HSR course and the one day annual refresher.
All HSRs who have undertaken the one day bridging or the five day HSR course are eligible to attend the annual one day refresher.
PSA HSR Training Schedule
10 December – one day annual refresher at PSA Lismore Office (applications close on 2 December)
16, 17 and 22, 23, 24 January 2014 – five day HSR course at PSA House, Sydney
If there is a HSR in your workplace, please ensure this information reaches them.
If you are interested in arranging a course for your area, please register at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HSRWHSTraining
Authorised by Anne Gardiner, General Secretary, Public Service Association of NSW, 160 Clarence Street, Sydney
