Prison officers walk off job after prisoner who bashed four officers given ‘slap on the wrist’

Prison officers at Cessnock Correctional Centre have walked off the job after a prisoner who based four of their colleagues went unpunished by a controversial Magistrate yesterday and is set to be released back into the community.

Prison officers at Bathurst Correctional Centre have also walked off the job with prison officers at all of the state’s 36 prisons are likely to follow in the next few hours.

This will leave local, district and supreme courts unable to function.

Cameron Welsh bashed four prison officers earlier this year at the Cessnock Correctional Centre leaving them with sickening facial injuries.

All four prison officers here hospitalised and two will never work again.

Welsh was transferred to Goulburn High Risk Management Correctional Centre or ‘Supermax’ and isolated from other prisoners.

But yesterday a Magistrate refused to add any time to Welsh’s sentence meaning he can leave prison as early as tomorrow.

Welsh, 26, has a history of violence, in 2023 he was arrested for bashing two men with a baseball bat in the Hunter.

Prison officers in NSW are represented by the Public Service Association of NSW.

Public Service Association President Nicole Jess, herself a sworn prison officer, says it’s beggars belief Welsh has not been punished for the vicious assault on the four prison officers earlier this year.

“This tells the community it’s okay to bash prison officers, that you won’t be punished if you do and you’ll be able to return to the community,” says Ms Jess.

“In giving Mr Welsh a slap on the wrist this Magistrate has delivered a slap in the face to every prison officer in this state who keep our community safe from those who’ve forfeited their right to walk amongst us.

“Prison officers are absolutely livid about this and expect immediate action from the Minns Government.”

Public Service Association General Secretary Stewart Little says he can’t believe any Magistrate in the state would deliver such a misguided judgement.

“My phone has gone into meltdown, I’ve had prison officers ringing me all day absolutely incandescent with rage at the signal this Magistrate has sent to the community.

“The Attorney General better get himself out of whatever meeting or media opportunity or announcement he’s currently engaged in and get this solved or else the state’s prison system is going to go into meltdown.”

Contact: Tim Brunero 0405 285 547

PSA CPSU NSW delegates survey: support from industrial staff

Thank you for your commitment to your colleagues, taking on the role as a delegate for the PSA CPSU NSW.

As a delegate your views are important to us.

We have prepared a short survey to gauge your views on the way you receive support from the union’s industrial staff in your day to day activities.

Please find the survey HERE.

Please take the time to fill in the survey to assist us in assisting you, it should only take you a few minutes to complete.

Regards,

Stewart Little

General Secretary, PSA

Congratulations to our newly elected TAFE NSW delegate: Strathfield

The CPSU NSW is delighted to announce the election of our new TAFE NSW Workplace delegate at TAFE Strathfield.

Rachael Moroney TAFE NSW Strathfield .

We sincerely thank all members who participated in the nomination process. Your engagement is crucial to the strength of our union.

The power of unity: encourage your colleagues to join

As we celebrate our new delegate, we’re reminded of the importance of a strong and united workforce. If you have colleagues who haven’t yet joined our union, now is the perfect time to encourage them to become part of a strong and growing union that represents your interests at work.

Remember: our strength lies in our numbers. Every new member makes our voice stronger!

Yours in Union

CPSU NSW

Contacts

Lisa Nelson Senior Industrial Officer

Michael George Organiser

0473 658 074

Red Tape Spring 2025

The latest issue of Red Tape celebrates the members who do so much to make NSW one of the finest places on the planet to live, work and learn.

Our union represents psychologists working to make NSW a safer, healthier place to live. The current issue looks at what these hardworking members do at work, the issues they face and how they deal with confronting matters they encounter. We also go into why the PSA is fighting to ensure they get better pay and conditions for their essential work.

For 95 years, our union’s Women’s Council has been at the heart of our fight for issues such as workplace equality, especially for women.

Red Tape was at this year’s Women’s Conference, as inspirational and informative presentations helped celebrate our council’s remarkable milestone while reaffirming our commitment to fight for equal pay, equal superannuation, and the end of workplace harassment.

As always, a stellar array of speakers entertained, inspired and educated our attendees.

Red Tape also looks at the job cuts afflicting our workplaces, and how our union is fighting back to ensure our members remain in secure roles doing what they do best, working for NSW.

We look at our protest at the Art Gallery of NSW, where more than 40 jobs are at risk, and what is happening in the state’s university sector.

We join members in Youth Justice, who took action when a recurring pay office error was not rectified.

As usual, Red Tape has a great mix of reviews, opinion pieces and news stories. And a crossword for your downtime.

The latest issue is in the post right now, or can be viewed online. For General Secretary Stewart Little’s video summary of the magazine, click HERE.

And don’t forget to log on to www.redtapemagazine.com.au to see our constantly updated online version. Check in regularly and keep up to date with the union that is always fighting for the members who do so much for our state.

UTS Operational Sustainability Initiative. We want your feedback

Your union is aware of the release of the Operating Model Change Proposal yesterday, amounting to a total net reduction of 209.9 FTE roles, or 251 positions, being cut across 15 divisional/functional areas.

As a result of your feedback so far, concerns about the process and the way that consultation has been undertaken up to this point has been picked up by media in the following article HERE.

Consultation on the change proposal will run for six weeks and closes at 5:00pm on Thursday 4 December 2025. If members have feedback on the proposals that they would like the CPSU NSW to submit, de-identified, on their behalf, please send this to quoting reference number C10001203 by close of business Tuesday December 2.

Please keep an eye out for further bulletins and member meetings that we will hold in the coming weeks to discuss your feedback and hear your concerns.

Your branch delegates are also here to assist with any workplace questions, provide advice and support, and advocate for your interests:

Andreas Dalman Branch President

Greg Hampshire Secretary

Thomas Dobson Assistant Secretary

Fleur Sargent Women’s Officer

Michael Soo WHS Officer

CPSU NSW Contacts

Member Support Centre 1800 772 679

Mike Galvez Industrial Officer

Jose Vasquez Organiser

NSW Land Registry Services: consultation on proposed change

The CPSU NSW and NSW Land Registry Services (NSWLRS) have met in relation to a proposed restructure within NSWLRS.

NSWLRS have advised that the changes relate to:

The creation of two teams, the eConveyancing Compliance and Delivery Team and the Dealing Services (eConveyancing) Team
The creation of a new Dealing Examiner position and proposed transfer of specific staff to this new area
Possible movement of staff between the two teams in the future
Future changes in Folio Management & Referred Dealings pursuant to eConveyancing

The CPSU NSW have confirmed with NSWLRS that there will be no job losses as part of the restructure. Members are encouraged to send feedback on the proposed restructure to the union as part of consultation. Members may also contact the member support centre on 1800 772 679 or email on for assistance on an individual basis.

Contacts

Alex Sala Organiser

Monika Wunderlin Industrial Officer

PSA continues to pursue better conditions for Crown Solicitor’s Office members

Flexible Working Hours Award

Background

PSA delegates have been meeting regularly with Management to negotiate the terms of an ‘Industrial Instrument’ that will determine pay and conditions around flex hours, flex leave, the forfeiture of flex hours, and overtime to compensate this forfeiture. Meetings have been held regularly since May to try to come to an agreement about the type of instrument and the terms contained in the instrument.

The PSA has been advocating for an Industrial Award that mirrors the recently created Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) Flexible Working Hours Award. To view this Award click HERE

The ODPP Flexible Working Hours Award was made by the Industrial Relations Commission in response to evidence of the regular and significant forfeiture of flex hours by ODPP employees. The Commission found that the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2009 (which applies to ODPP and Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO) staff) does not contemplate the forfeiture of flex leave. The Commission also rejected a submission by the Industrial Relations Secretary that “the forfeiture of flex leave is a natural consequence of the nature of the work that solicitors perform”. To view the decision click HERE.

The PSA’s proposed Award for CSO employees would cover both legal and non-legal employees.

At a PSA members’ meeting held on 16 July 2025 two significant decisions were made:

Five members decided to step up and become part of the PSA representative group as delegates. We now have six representatives
The members in attendance voted to pursue the creation of a Crown Solicitor’s Office Flexible Working Hours Award which would cover both legal and non-legal employees. The Award should be based on the terms and conditions contained in the ODPP Award.

Current Status

The Management at Crown Solicitor’s Office have not moved in their desire to pursue an ‘Agreement’ rather than an Award. The significant differences between an Award and Agreement are that an Award is more enforceable and must be adhered to whilst an Agreement can be easily varied and contains ‘Exit Provisions’ to enable either party to opt out of the agreement.

To view a comparison table of the different instruments click HERE.

The PSA is pushing for the proposed Award to contain provisions for excess flex hours to be paid out as overtime rather than forfeited. This is to ensure that employees are paid for their hours worked. It is also to encourage CSO Management to resolve the critical workload issues faced by CSO employees.

In mid-September, the PSA presented to Management a draft copy of the proposed Award and requested that Management put the Award forward to the Senior Officials Wages Advisory Committee (SOWAC) for review and follow up about whether SOWAC would agree to provide resources to enable bargaining around an Award. The CSO declined to do this as it considers the terms of the proposed Award still subject to negotiation and did not want to make a recommendation to SOWAC.

Next Steps

The PSA will be seeking to make an application to the Industrial Relations Commission for the creation of a Crown Solicitors Flexible Working Hours Award which will cover both legal and non-legal employees. Members meetings will be held to discuss progress moving forward.

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CPSU NSW: Update meeting on EBA and Wage Compliance Review

This meeting is an opportunity for members to ask questions, share concerns and receive an update from the CPSU NSW about the current Enterprise Bargaining and the Wage Compliance Review (Employee Entitlement Assurance Review).

Your union recognises and appreciates your dedication and hard work, and we are eager to meet you and hear from you.

Meeting details

Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025
Time: 12:30pm
Location: Building 2 Level 17 Room 100 (CB02.17.100)

Feel free to forward this email to your colleagues. Non-members are welcome, and information about joining will be available on the day.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

Contacts

Your UTS CPSU NSW workplace delegates are all Professional Staff who know the university and are here to assist with any workplace questions, provide advice and support, and advocate for your interests.

Andreas Dalman Branch President
Greg Hampshire Branch Secretary
Thomas Dobson Assistant Secretary
Fleur Sargent Women’s Officer
Michael Soo WH&S Officer

The stronger we are, the better our chances of success at the bargaining table.

CPSU NSW contacts:

Member Support Centre: 1800 772 679
Senior Industrial Officer: Lisa Nelson
Industrial Officer: Mike Galvez
Organiser: Jose Vasquez

The CPSU NSW is the union for Professional Staff and will always put Professional Staff interests first.

Not a member Join the CPSU NSW HERE – The Professional Staff Union

Proposed changes to the eRecruitment Team

A briefing of the PSA and affected staff occurred on 15 October regarding Proposed changes to the eRecruitment Team.

Members can request a copy of the documentation via email quoting Case ID C10011125.

Proposed Structure – role impact:

Proposed timing of changes to maintain service support until 30 June 2026.

Under the proposed change, the below four roles in the current eRecruitment team will be impacted and employees will commence mobility upon completion of the consultation period and finalisation of the structure.

1 x 11/12 Manager eRecruitment and Workforce Systems
2 x 9/10 Relationship Manager
1 x 9/10 Senior Technology Business Partner

Four roles in the eRecruitment team in the current structure will be retained until 30 June 2026. This is to maintain support for agencies who remain on the Taleo system until fully transitioned and to continue to provide Helpdesk support to candidates.

1 x 9/10 Senior Systems Administrator
1 x 7/8 System Administrator – Note this role will transfer to the Analytics and Insights team after 30 June 2026
2 x 3/4 Client Support Officer – Note: 1 x ongoing and 1 x temporary role till 30/6/26.

As part of consultation, the new team structure including role descriptions will be made available to impacted staff who can submit an expression of interest.

The roles in the new structure will be filled using the following processes:

Internal suitability assessment for at-level roles
Workforce Mobility Placement Program
External advertising of roles

The consultation phase officially begins on 15th October and will run for two weeks, concluding at 5:00PM on Wednesday 29 October 2025.

PSA will be providing an opportunity for members to meet to discuss the proposal a meeting notice will advise of a date and time soon.

The Union will be providing feedback to this proposal if any member has any concerns or alternative proposals to the current plan please forward by COB 28 October to or 1800 772 679 please quote Case ID C10011125.

Your PSA Industrial team:

Claudia Bianchi PSA Organiser

Greg Shaw PSA Senior Industrial Officer

UTS: Enterprise Bargaining update, October 2025

The CPSU NSW has commenced bargaining with the university and the two meetings have now taken place.

First bargaining meeting: financial briefing and pay rises

In the first meeting, on 30 September, we received a financial briefing from the Chief Financial Officer, who suggested an ambitious revenue growth target forecast of 6 per cent, which will primarily be driven by international student load, and which is budgeted for a 5 per cent increase per year.

While it was slated that the financial outlook for the university suggests that there is little room for a generous pay offer, we will prosecute your claims for a fair and appropriate pay rise as negotiations progress, keeping in mind the intended cost savings that the university aims to achieve because of the Operational Sustainability Initiative (OSI).

Other parties also prosecuted their claims for improved conditions, employment targets and entitlements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff. The CPSU NSW support all claims that better the conditions for First Nations People.

Second bargaining meeting: consultation and change management

In the second meeting on 14 October, discussions took place around consultation and change management provisions. The CPSU NSW was disappointed that the university took a position from the outset that most of our claims were not agreeable, believing that the clauses in the current EA were robust and compliant with the university’s legislative obligations. We fail to see how this assertion stands considering your very recent lived experience with the Operational Sustainability Initiative (OSI) and SafeWork NSW’s intervention.

However, subsequently the university conceded that wording needed to be strengthened to demonstrate that feedback provided to change proposals was being genuinely considered, as well as provide a more clearly defined scope of what should take place during the initial consultation stages of any proposed change.

Next meeting and your feedback

Parties will next meet on October 28 and discussions will solely focus on academic-related matters.

Should you wish to provide any feedback or raise any issues please contact your Enterprise Bargaining Team:

Contacts

Andreas Dalman Branch President

Greg Hampshire Branch Secretary

Thomas Dobson Assistant Secretary

Michael Soo WHS Officer

Mike Galvez CPSU NSW Industrial Officer

TAFE NSW: CPSU NSW members meeting and call for delegates

Your CPSU NSW Organiser Michael George and aspiring delegates invite all TAFE NSW Strathfield members to attend a hybrid in-person member meeting scheduled for Wednesday 22 October 2025.

This meeting will provide a crucial platform for members to collectively discuss, share, and raise any issues or concerns you have. The CPSU NSW will also be calling for delegate nominations at this meeting to represent members at TAFE Strathfield.

All delegate nominations need to be supported by a nominator and a seconder from TAFE Strathfield.

All nominators and seconders have to be financial members of the CPSU NSW from the the date of 8 October.

New delegates receive comprehensive training through Special Leave for Trade Union Training (TUT). All PSA members are eligible for up to 12 days of TUT every two years.

So, join us in our collective effort to enhance workplace rights and build a stronger union presence. We encourage you to nominate yourself and get involved with the CPSU NSW.

While we encourage all members to attend in person, we recognise that not every member may be able to due to various commitments. To ensure full participation we have provided a Teams link for virtual attendance. This way, even if you cannot be present physically, you will still have the chance to contribute to the discussions and engage with your representatives, delegates, and fellow members.

Meeting details

Date Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Time 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Location TAFE Strathfield – Room A2.33

Contact Michael George

mgeorge@psa.asn.au

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID 479 381 127 602 1

Passcode ug2hZ99X

We strongly encourage all CPSU NSW members at TAFE Strathfield whether attending in person or online, to take part in this important meeting. Your insights, experiences, and perspectives are invaluable to our collective efforts. We genuinely want to hear from you about what is happening within your specific areas and about your work at TAFE NSW.

PSA CPSU NSW retired associates meeting October 2025

Retired Associates are warmly invited to attend our October meeting either in person or remotely. Our meeting will include briefings from senior PSA staff and include a focus on value added benefits and how Retired Associates can access them.

If you are joining the meeting externally you can do so through Microsoft Teams. If you are using your home PC, the meeting will open in your default browser with no need for additional software. If you are on a mobile device (your phone or tablet), it will require an additional app to download, which will begin once you click on the meeting link HERE.

Agenda

Acknowledgement of Country
Attendance/Apologies/New members
Confirmation of minutes of previous meeting
Business arising
Reports
Motions on notice
General Business

To assist with catering please confirm your attendance at by close of business on Friday, 17 October 2025.

Minutes of the last meeting can be found HERE.

Meeting Details
Date Tuesday 21 October
Time 10:30am – 12:30pm
Location Meeting room 1, Level 10 PSA House, 160 Clarence Street Sydney
or
Microsoft Teams
Join Meeting Link HERE.

Meeting ID 493 899 783 716 3

Passcode TQ6JK27i

Contact

Davel McKeough President

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