On 20 May the Public Service Association (PSA) tabled a submission at the state Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) regarding the Functional Review and the impact this has had on the Northern District, you can view the submission HERE and the response HERE. Management confirmed that the six-month review of the Functional Review implementation will be completed as soon as possible and there will be a statewide review at the end of the year.
The PSA is disappointed in the response and feels that Homes is not listening to our members’ concerns. Homes did acknowledge workload pressures remain significant in a number of locations. It acknowledged they were present before the Functional Review and are not solely a consequence of the revised structure. Members may then wonder why then they had to go through this restructure with little movement to address workload.
The PSA reminds members that good people make bad systems work, so don’t burn yourselves out for an agency that is not willing to resource its workforce.
Feedback is welcome and can be done via your Delegates and/or ">Regional Organiser.
Northern JCC feedback to members
On 25 May PSA delegates and Industrial staff met with Homes NSW Northern management for our bi-monthly JCC.
Phone Lines
Director Northern acknowledged that phone lines are a highly contentious issue. Management is analysing phone rosters to ensure adequate coverage. An escalation protocol has been introduced to pass unresolved calls to Senior Client Service Officers or Housing Managers to improve accountability. Contractual limitations prevent Assertive Outreach specialists from being on the phones until July, after which their roles may be integrated more flexibly.
Recruitment
Homes reported that 88 vacancies, including 44 Customer Service Operator (CSO) positions, have been filled since November. Recent recruitment rounds have successfully converted temporary CSO roles into ongoing positions, leaving few, if any, temporary CSO roles remaining. Reports from Delegates are that staff are leaving as quickly as Homes is recruiting.
Six additional CSO positions have been provided to the District and these positions will initially be allocated to the hub team for flexible work across the district based on operational needs.
Tweed Heads security
Due to an increase in incidents, a full-time security guard has been employed at the Tweed Heads Office. Following a security risk assessment, several recommendations have been accepted and are on track for implementation by the second week of June.
Travel allowance entitlements
Due to the increased travel our members are now doing due to the current portfolio mapping, the PSA highlighted the need for Homes to remind staff about their travel allowance entitlements.
If you would like a copy of the minutes contact your Delegate and they will forward this to you.
Contacts
Rebecca Reilly
Regional Organiser North Coast
0419 980 503
Gino Di Candilo
Regional Organiser Newcastle