The Public Service Association (PSA) convened with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for the final Joint Consultative Committee meeting of 2023 on 4 December. The following is a report summarising the matters discussed:

• Organisational Update:
  • Employees were given the opportunity to contribute feedback for a Values Reset initiative.
  • Structural changes in the Operations division and affairs, with ongoing consultations ending soon, though feedback has been limited.
  • The current inclusion and diversity survey running until the end of the month with a low 23% response rate, EPA noted the crucial need for more participation.
• Temporary Roles and Traineeships:
  • A decrease in temporary roles from 18% to 13-14%. Though EPA noted that some divisions will have a higher proportion due to graduate and innovations programs.
  • Introduction of 18-month admin traineeships at EO2 level, aiming to nurture and transition trainees into EO4 roles, in collaboration with TAFE. A further traineeship program is out for recruitment, with a focus on offering pathways to public service careers and on indigenous workplace employment. Roles for this traineeship have been earmarked across metro and regional sites.
  • Founded Citizens Science Team, with 18 members coming from graduate recruitment across regional and metro areas.
• Complaint Handling Process:
  • Implementation of a process involving the direct line manager’s engagement for external/public complaints, with a review scheduled for October 2024.
• WHS (Workplace Health and Safety) Update:
  • Focus on a guide for personal security due to potential community issues affecting staff, especially during high fire season.
  • Balancing employee wellbeing during prolonged legal proceedings and matters involving licensees.
  • Prioritising communication resources and guidelines for staff, also addressing concerns regarding third-party generalist approaches and the need for specialised focus beyond fire seasons.
  • Ongoing work on Health and Safety Representative (HSR) elections to support operational groups.
• General Business:
  • Concerns were raised surrounding workload, particularly in Forestry, leading to burnout. Issues in Forestry were highlighted regarding increasing workloads being driven by complaints with tight turnarounds, and with employees being required to engage effectively with stakeholders who, in some instances, have possessed subject matter expertise.
  • Discussions around WHS provisioning not including portable defibrillator which the EPA will review and respond to in the new year.
• DPHI and DCCEEW Establishment – Corporate Services Transition:
  • The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) will retain shared services such as ICT and other shared services, transactional services e.g. accounts payable/receivable and payroll. Where service provision to the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW) will be undertaken using the selected model. The roles were considered by the percentage of workload or time allocated to functions, business units or divisions that will make up the new DCCEEW and Homes NSW. Decisions on transfers will be based on closer alignment between departments. Parts reliant on shared services or IT infrastructure will remain to avoid duplication.

Contingent Labour and Contractors

The PSA is aware of the growing issue of labour-hire staff being used in supervisory roles, up to and including Director positions. We remind members that this is contravention of the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award:

3.64    Supervisor means the immediate supervisor or manager of the area in which a staff member is employed, or any other staff member authorised by the Department Head to fulfil the role of a supervisor or manager, other than a person engaged as a consultant or contractor.

If you are aware of any instances where this is occurring, please alert the PSA by contacting the Member Support Centre, your local Delegate, or Organiser Amira Thomson or Jo Aboud.

On behalf of the PSA, we extend a heartfelt thank you for your unwavering dedication and hard work throughout this year as members of the union and the NSW Public Service. With particular thanks to our Delegates- your commitment has been instrumental in our collective efforts. As the year draws to a close, we wish each of you a happy and safe holiday season!