Trustee and Guardian Bulletin
Trustee and Guardian bulletin February 2014 (PDF Version)
PSA WIN ON MEMBERS’ SECURITY AND SAFETY
Members raised concerns with the Association about the conversion of what was a Secure Interview Room to a facility with a flimsy concertina barrier between clients and the Interviewer – at the Parramatta office.
The Association met with the Department and identified that the replacement fit out would permit clients to spit through the screens onto/at our members. And that this was a Work Health and Safety issue.
The Department argued that this was a non-issue as there were no documented accounts of clients spitting on staff.
Whilst the work site inspection was taking place an incident occurred whereby a staff member was spat on in one of the refitted Interview Rooms. The emergence of the distraught member of staff was witnessed by all in the Inspection party.
A further incident of client spitting on staff took place in the Newcastle office one week after the above incident.
Consequently, the Department has advised the Association that the concertina windows will be replaced with secure windows which are free of any gaps thereby preventing a client from being able to spit on our members or staff.
This new fit out will be undertaken in both Interview Rooms 1 and 2.
The Association advises members to report all incidents using the official WHS Incident/Accident report including (but not limited to):
- Threats of violence
- Intimidation
- Assault
- Abusive language
- Any concerns about clients’ behaviour
It is important to please make it a habit to submit an Incident report for all occurrences as this will then be captured and recorded in the TAG’s Work Health and Safety reporting procedures. TAG management cannot deny the reality of these assaults if reports are filed and statistics then exist.
WORKLOAD COMMITTEE REPORT BACK – WIN FOR PSA MEMBERS
The Association raised concerns with the Department about the increased workloads being reported by members in the TAG over the last eighteen months. In order to progress action on the increased work, the Association recommended the Department establish a committee to explore possible strategies and procedures to reduce inefficiencies and streamline work processes.
This led to the establishment of the Workload Committee which has been meeting regularly. Through this Committee the Department asked staff for work improvement suggestions. The Association also asked its members to submit suggestions and these were incorporated into the Committee’s findings. In January 2014 the Workload Committee furnished a report on its findings and posted this report on The Hive.
The Association encourages all members to read the final report on The Hive and to provide your feedback via your Departmental Committee.
The Association is committed to supporting our members in addressing these unreasonable workload issues in TAG.
2.5% STATE SUPERANNUATION GUARANTEE CONTRIBUTION (SGC)
The Government’s request for a stay (or suspension) of IRC Justice Boland’s orders for the NSW Government to pay the full 2.5% SGC was granted in the Court of Appeal on 11 February 2014.
The matter now rests on the outcome of the Government’s application for a judicial review of Justice Boland’s decision which will be heard by the Court of Appeal on 14 March 2014.
GOVERNMENT SECTOR EMPLOYMENT ACT BRIEFINGS
The Government Sector Employment Act (GSE) commences operation on 24 February 2014.
The PSA’s Research Section has prepared a briefing for the information of members. You can access it HERE.
If you would like a GSE Act briefing given in your workplace please contact your Acting Organiser, Jo Ann Moore (contact details below).
Please email with any feedback.
PSA Contacts
Authorised by Anne Gardiner, General Secretary, PSA of NSW, 160 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000
