CPSU NSW has successfully stopped proposed changes to staffing arrangements at the Jamieson Road houses 26A and 26B in Emu Plains after raising concerns with Life Without Barriers regarding a reduction in staffing levels.
The proposed changes included reducing staffing by two roles in each house, which included removing the overnight floater position across both houses. Members raised concerns that these changes would impact a high-support environment, with House 26A supporting five wheelchair-using participants and House 26B supporting four wheelchair-using participants, as well as participants requiring complex support including PEG feeding, epilepsy support, continence care, regular repositioning, and overnight supervision.
Following concerns raised by members, CPSU NSW raised a dispute with Life Without Barriers regarding the proposed staffing changes and the lack of consultation with affected employees and the CPSU NSW.
The CPSU NSW advised that the changes had been implemented without adequate consultation in accordance with the consultation clause of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Industry Award 2010, which requires employers to notify employees of proposed changes, discuss the impact with affected staff and the CPSU NSW and genuinely consider their views before making a final decision.
Life Without Barriers has since advised that they have retracted the new master roster and will revert back to the previous roster.
This outcome means the proposed changes to staffing levels will not proceed.
This result highlights the importance of workers raising concerns through their union and the role of CPSU NSW in ensuring employers comply with their consultation obligations before making changes that affect staffing, workloads and service delivery.
CPSU NSW thanks the members who brought these concerns forward. By speaking up, members enabled the union to act quickly and stop the proposed changes before they were implemented.
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