The PSA and the SES appeared before Commissioner Sloan of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission on 8 August 2019 to provide a report back to the Commission on the status of the dispute.
During the report back it was agreed the SES would develop business rules or standard processes around the operation of on-call procedures. The PSA noted at the Commission that while the current draft guidelines issued by the SES in July 2019 provide relevant guidance on Award interpretation, the practical application of the on-call provisions remain the core concern of members. Developing business rules will help to ensure members are safe at work and have a safe system of work. The next report back to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission on the dispute is due on 5 September 2019. In the meantime, the SES, in consultation with the PSA is to develop the required business rules.
This represents a major win for the PSA. The SES had previously tried to argue that such business rules were not necessary and the guidance material would finalise the dispute. This is despite the on-going frustration and difficulty faced by members involved in on-call arrangements.
The PSA will hold a BBQ in Wollongong for SES members in the coming weeks to celebrate this win. Members will be notified shortly of a date. We encourage all members to meet PSA staff to discuss the on-call dispute or any other industrial matter.
What can you do?
- Ask a work colleague join the PSA today
- Make the union strong by forwarding this bulletin to your colleagues
- Attend PSA meetings at your worksite
- Get involved become a PSA Delegate
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