Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions – 6 June 2017 (PDF Version)

Your PSA Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions NSW (ODDP) delegates and Industrial staff met with ODPP Management on 24 May 2017 to discuss collective member issues at the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) Meeting. The following issues were discussed in this forum:

WAS – consultation

The “Internal WAS Staff Consultation” process was discussed at the JCC. The document presented to staff about the process has several references to review and consultation and clarification was sought on the implications for staff arising out of the process. ODPP indicated that the review was an opportunity for staff to discuss cultural frameworks and indicated there would be no structural change and no impacts on staff.

Work Load Weighting Model

PSA members have raised concerns about the weighing of work and what this means for their workload which has invariably led to high workloads. Members also noted a trial of a new system was due for completion in May 2017. However, no update on the status of trial had been issued.

ODPP noted the trial of the new system was due to be finalised, however the trial would continue and the timelines will be reviewed and updated.

Related matters

ODPP noted a new case management system was another project being developed. This was part of the reason for the extension of the weighing systems trial.

PSA members should also note there are significant changes on the horizon in relation to early guilty pleas. Legislation is slated to go through Parliament that will affect committal hearings and this may affect a number of areas related to your work, including case management and workload weighing.

Flextime and workload

Your union requested data on the new Flexitime system to analyse if there are any patterns emerging around loss of hours. ODPP has committed to providing the data.

Temporary employment contracts

PSA members who are on temporary contracts raised concerns about the uncertainty of their contracts being renewed. Of principal concern was communication from management about the status of their employment. Members indicated that in some instances their contracts had expired and they come back to work in the new financial year, yet it could be a full two weeks before they are issued with a new contract. While this delay is partially due to uncertainty around funding, this should not affect updating members on proposed timeframes and status of their employment.

To alleviate this uncertainty ODPP has reviewed all contracts and undertaken to update staff on the status of their employment and the process leading into the new financial year when funding becomes clearer.

JCC schedule for 2017

The JCC will occur on a bi-monthly basis and we will advise members of the dates when the schedule has been finalised.

The JCC is one of the forums that your union represents members’ interests in. The PSA will continue to raise important issues in this forum in 2017 and aim to raise awareness amongst PSA membership of the value and function of the JCC.

PSA ODPP delegates in 2017

• Would you like to become more involved in your union?
• Interested in working with PSA members across ODPP?
• Become a PSA delegate!

Your PSA delegate elections for the ODPP Departmental Committee are due this year.

If you want to have a say in how your union is run and want to be part of a collective effort to improve your rights at work by building strength on the ground, we encourage you to nominate and get involved in your union the PSA. We further encourage members working in the various roles at ODPP, including Administration, Legal and Policy, to get involved.

Members will be updated on the relevant processes shortly. In the interim if you want to get more involved in your union or want more information on what being a delegate at ODPP means, please contact .

PSA members working party

We are also seeking members to be involved in a working party for the workload weighting system and related matters. Please email to express your interest.

What can you do?

Give a copy of this bulletin to your colleagues.

Print this bulletin and put it up on your notice board.

Ask a colleague to join the PSA.

Get involved as your Area Contact.

Get involved by being on the ODPP DC

Attend a meeting at your worksite.