Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) representatives have provided the PSA with its intention to consolidate several current Flexible Working Hours Agreements (FWHA) that exist across the agency. This has been a by-product of several FWHA that operate simultaneously.

The agency posed consolidation of the FWHA in 2021 that was met with concerns from the PSA and angst from various sections of our membership. However, the consolidation posed by DPHI in this instance is different.

It is not envisaged to change any arrangement that has flex provisions derived from respective Awards. So those agencies can continue in the knowledge that nothing will change for them from this proposed consolidation.

Clause 10 Local Arrangements Crown Employees (Public Sector Conditions of Employment) Award are the vehicles for flex negotiations. That is because they have three main drivers:

1. there is agreement between the parties i.e. the DPHI Secretary and the General Secretary of the PSA;
2. they are in writing; and
3. are subject to termination by either party by providing 12 months’ notice.

As DPHI has sought an amicable and negotiated resolution to the proposed consolidation, the agency has not provided the PSA with any notice to terminate.

What Next?

The PSA asks that our members turn their mind to what they want from a flexible working hours agreement. There is no correlation with the Government’s Workplace Presence Policy. The hours that staff work have no bearing on where they are worked – whether it be in an office or at home.

For our Sydney Olympic Park Authority members the agency has proposed including administrative staff in this agreement.  This is finally a big step in the right direction after several false starts. However, it does pose questions regarding who is covered and who is not.

Your Union – Your Say

Once there is an in-principle settlement of the proposed FWHA between the PSA membership, its workplace delegates and DPHI, the in-principle FWHA is provided to the PSA membership for final endorsement. This means that members are involved in the negotiation but also the acceptance or rejection of the FWHA. That this the democratic processes that exist in your union and where your voice is heard. Non-members of the PSA have no say in this process.

Be on the lookout for further communication from DPHI and the PSA and speak to your colleagues and if you have any questions reach out to the PSA workplace delegates or the PSA directly.

Your PSA Industrial staff:

Industrial Officer  Shane Howes