Home Care Bulletin 18 November 2014 (PDF version)

The PSA met with the FACS and NSW Industrial Relations negotiators on Tuesday 11 November. Michael Coutts-Trotter was also in attendance at this meeting.

The Government responded to the PSA’s demands that the transfer package include a three year guaranteed protection of wages, conditions and jobs and a 30 week transfer payment as per previous privatisations.

Michael Coutts-Trotter stated the Department had secured agreement from the Government to offer a two year guarantee and an eight week transfer payment.

He requested acceptance of this by the unions to allow negotiations to proceed.

The PSA Home Care delegates met on Thursday 13 November to discuss this offer.

It was decided to acknowledge the offer and continue negotiations on the outstanding issues.

These include:

• protecting conditions over and above the Home Care Award;

• the right of employees to choose to transfer to a new private provider;

• the protection of all leave balances on transfer and into the future;

• recognition of the skills and experience of staff;

• recognition of all service for staff post-transfer;

• a legally enforceable mechanism for protecting the final agreed outcome.

The PSA informed NSW Industrial Relations of this on Friday morning and confirmed our position in writing on Monday 17 November. (HERE)

A full day of negotiations is now planned for Wednesday 19 November.

We are seeking certainty for our members before a provider is selected, given one of the PSA demands is that any agreement reached be built into the contract with that new provider.

If members have any questions, please contact Tania Shipman: