The PSA attended a briefing with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on 31 January 2022 regarding a restructure of its Legal Branch.

The PSA requested a further meeting with EPA’s management prior to a proposed draft Change Management Plan (CMP) being finalised and released to staff by 2 February 2022. However, no such meeting was arranged.

The draft CMP was then provided to the PSA on 3 February 2022, which included structural changes to the EPA’s litigation, legislation and Legal Advice Branches.

According to the EPA, the timetable for implementation of the draft CMP concludes on 9 February 2022 with the final CMP to the Acting CEO to be approved by 11 February 2022.

The draft CMP also advised that a further meeting would be scheduled with the union on 14 February 2022. However, recruitment would commence on 15 February 2022.

The PSA has written to the EPA’s management advising that these timeframes are unacceptable as they did not give the PSA an opportunity to engage its members and provide a response to the draft CMP prior to advertising and recruitment of roles.

The PSA has formally requested the consultation period be extended until at least 18 February 2022 and also requested an urgent meeting with the EPA’s management.