Important update on overcrowding and workers comp

Dear Corrective Service members,

Last week saw extensive media coverage on the overcrowding crisis in prisons.

This crisis was foreshadowed in a letter from the PSA to the Premier last year.

The POVB has consistently raised grave concerns about the impact this overcrowding was having on the safety of members and they also raised issues around inadequate workers compensation.

The PSA has actively promoted these concerns and also raised broader issues for all members employed in Corrections including those who are involved in Offender Programs outside prisons.

The seriousness of the overcrowding situation and the apparent lack of planning on the part of the Government has provided the PSA with an opportunity to raise many matters related to workers compensation.

Numerous meetings were held last week with PSA staff and delegates and senior Departmental representatives.

As identified in a recent PSA email to all members in Corrections, the matters surrounding workers compensation are complex and any legislative changes requested of the Government may have unintended consequences for members unless properly thought through.

In recognition of this, Commissioner Severin provided the opportunity for representatives of the POVB, NCDC and COVB together with staff from the PSA and the Department to meet on Thursday 5 February to identify any administrative matters related to workers comp which could be addressed by the Department.

The meeting also enabled all PSA delegates at the meeting to identify the key workers comp issues for their members.

This paved the way for the meeting which took place on Friday 6 February with Attorney General Brad Hazzard, Minister for Finance Dominic Perrottet, Commissioner Severin and staff, chairs of the POVB, NCDC, COVB, myself and PSA staff.

At this meeting each delegate was able to put forward concerns on behalf of members and as a group next steps were identified.

The spirit of the meeting was co-operative and PSA staff have now been tasked to work with delegates to provide the written information requested by both Ministers to help address the issues.

Many of the changes requested would require legislative amendments and this will take time.

However, other matters such as reversing the ban on top up pay when a worker is injured is a Government policy decision and may, if approved, be reversed more quickly.

Other issues identified such as payment of workers comp on average weekly earning rather than daily calculations may be legislative requirements but the PSA will be getting legal advice on this matter to determine if the Department could interpret the legislation in a way which would not disadvantage shift workers.

PSA members/delegates in Corrections and PSA staff have worked tirelessly to focus the Government’s attention on the real inequities resulting from the harsh workers comp changes made in 2012.

If the Government responds appropriately to the matters PSA has raised this will have a positive impact not only for Corrections staff but for all workers in NSW.

Just another reason to take great pride in being a union member.

Today POVB members will be voting on a motion related to overcrowding.

Delegates and PSA staff will continue to consult with members and further updates will be provided.

In Unity

Anne Gardiner
General Secretary