Home Care – Government announces new provider August 2015 (PDF version)

Following months of speculation, the NSW Government has today announced that Australian Unity will take over the NSW Home Care Service from early 2016.

While precise detail of the transfer remains unclear, Minister Ajaka has confirmed earlier advice to the PSA that Home Care employees will be unilaterally transferred by way of Ministerial order. You can read that letter HERE.

It is extremely disappointing that the Government has taken this step without proper notice, especially when agreement has only been reached on transfer details for care workers, leaving PSA members without genuine protections. The PSA will continue to fight for legally enforceable guarantees.

Establishment of PSA – Home Care Transfer Working Group

The NSW Government has finally agreed to hold discussions on the transfer of PSA members by establishing an implementation working group. This will cover employment and operational issues around the transfer.

We have written to FACS requesting further information about the working group and are awaiting a formal reply. You can read that letter HERE.

In addition, the PSA met with John Bailey on 25 August 2015 and agreed that this working party would be PSA specific to ensure our members’ issues are given full attention.

PSA continues to fight for genuine protections

While the PSA does not support privatisation, our primary focus is protecting the wages, conditions and job security of PSA members in Home Care. This focus will continue now, during the transfer and when members are with the new provider.

This includes fighting the NSW Government decision to impose inferior transfer conditions by way of Ministerial order. These conditions are substantially less than in previous NSW privatisation programs, particularly in terms of safeguards and employee compensation.

Act now to tell the Government how you feel

To secure the best outcome your continued participation is essential. If you have not yet done so, take our quick survey to let us know how you will fight for your jobs and conditions.

To read the detail of what the Government is forcing on you and why we must continue to fight for fair and genuine protections, read the PSA bulletin HERE