Industrial Relations Commission hearing: Vacant roles in National Parks and Wildlife Service

The PSA was back in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) on 17 August. The Commissioner gave a recommendation to National Parks and Wildlife Service/Deparrment of Planning, Industry and the Environment (NPWS/DPIE) to provide the PSA reasons and rationale for the deletion of 33 positions from the 2018 Future NPWS structures. NPWS management and the PSA are to meet prior to the next appearance in the IRC on 17 September. This is to discuss the rationale and impact on workloads of the removal of these positions. The PSA has always maintained these roles were deleted without any consultation or rationale beforehand.

Secondary Employment Policy

The PSA has advised DPIE that the Secondary Employment Policy is incorrect and is not consistent with the GSE Regulation, which is clear that part-time or casual staff do not need approval for other employment as long as they can manage any potential conflict of interest. DPIE management has advised the PSA the Code of Conduct and Ethics will be updated and reflect the GSE as requirements as pointed out.

Until the policy is updated, the PSA advises that part-time and casual staff do not need to seek approval for secondary employment, provided that there is no conflict of interest with their role.

Rangers’ back pay

The PSA has been of the view that DPIE/NPWS have been interpreting the Crown Employees Office of Environment and Heritage National Park and Wildlife Service Conditions of Employment Award 2015 award incorrectly in relation to Ranger progression from grade 1 level 6 to grade 2. The Department has been incorrectly requiring Rangers to wait an additional 12 months before they received an increment. This has now been rectified and Rangers will be paid their increment in meeting the requirements.

A number of Rangers are affected by this and are owed backpay. The PSA is of the understanding DPIE is currently calculating backpay for affected members and members’ payment should be received in the near future.

Shorebird Project: South Coast Branch

Recently the PSA met with NPWS/DPIE staff to discuss the management of the shorebird program, following the departure of the Project Officer who coordinated the program.

Members have raised concerns about the impact on workloads of existing Rangers, who have to take on work previously done by the Project Coordinator. While the PSA recognises the importance of this work in preserving threatened shorebirds, it should not be at the expense of our members.

NPWS management has undertaken to have discussions with affected staff to ensure work is prioritised and the workload of staff is appropriately managed.

Your union reminds all members to only work the hours they are paid to do.

The PSA would like to thank our NPWS delegates for their ongoing and dedicated support they provide the NPWS industrial staff of the PSA.