Last week, your PSA representatives (Ben Trainor – Industrial Officer, Alex Sala – Organiser) met with Tom Gilmartin (Practice Manager) and Karen Smith (Crown Solicitor).
The PSA sought this meeting based upon requests from members following our two recent staff meetings. On behalf of members we raised the following concerns:
- Billable Hours We requested the Crown Solicitor confirm that billable hours are not to be used to performance manage staff. We addressed the concern that the CSO’s reliance upon billable hours is a structural issue within the agency that is creating undue and considerable impacts on staff, including workload stress and an unwillingness to take leave entitlements.
- Vicarious trauma We requested that all staff who are exposed to a risk of vicarious trauma, be scheduled for vicarious trauma training, as opposed to the current system of staff having to elect to attend training.
- Anonymous communication We have requested that an anonymous forum for staff to communicate their concerns with the Crown Solicitor be implemented.
The Crown Solicitor reserved comment on these requests. Following receipt of the Crown Solicitor’s position, a members’ meeting will be organised to discuss the response.
The PSA will continue to advance the concerns raised by members at every opportunity.
Your PSA staff
Ben Trainor PSA Industrial Officer
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Your union is only as strong as its members – the more members we have, the stronger we are. Your union is not only your voice in the work place, the PSA also handles individual issues at work.
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 Workplace Contact
- Not a member join online – psa.asn.au/join
Members can update their details at – https://membership.psa.asn.au