ADHC meeting with MCT – February 2017 (PDF version)

Strike update:
IRC urges further discussions over disability transfer arrangement

In conciliation proceedings on Monday, 30 January 2017 the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) urged the PSA and NSW Treasury to further discuss the NSW Government’s imposed transfer package for disability services employees in an effort to avoid the strike planned for 14 February 2017.

In accepting the IRC’s recommendation, the PSA agreed to meet with FACS and NSW Treasury senior representatives, but expressed concern regarding previously received advice that these agencies are not authorised to negotiate on behalf of the NSW Government.

PSA meets with MCT and NSW Industrial Relations

Regardless of our concerns, a number of your Departmental Committee, Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright and PSA staff met with senior representatives from FACS and NSW Industrial Relations including Michael Coutts-Trotter and Vicki Telfer on 31 January 2017.

Discussions focussed on concerns about the strike action. Several issues that have been repeatedly raised, though, have remained unresolved. These include, but are not limited to:

1. Reworking the NDIS Mobility Pathway to ensure genuine access to placement/redeployment of disability staff not transferring.
2. Centralised conversion of long-term temporary staff prior to any transfer to ensure access to the full two-year employment protection period, rather than only six months.
3. Protection of the Rostering Principles to ensure your take home pay isn’t vastly reduced after transfer.
4. A legally enforceable agreement that protects your conditions post-transfer.

While discussions on these matters are welcome, the PSA has always maintained the Government must be open to negotiate on key issues for members such as the choice to transfer, redundancy entitlements and increases in employment protections.

Delegates to consider discussions and report back to members

The ADHC Departmental Committee delegates meet today and will carefully consider the dispute, outcomes of the meeting yesterday and other matters of concern to members.

We will report back to members as discussions develop.

Know someone who isn’t a member?

A strong union means better outcomes for all members; encourage your workmates to JOIN the PSA today so they are protected when participating in the strike.