Insurance and Care NSW (ICARE) Update
Insurance and Care NSW (ICARE) Update – March 2016 (PDF version)
The PSA and ICARE NSW have a Memorandum of Understanding that enabled staff to transition to the new entity. It contains the commitment that conditions of employment and salaries would be continued until such time as a new award is created for ICARE NSW. That award may require considerable negotiation between the PSA and ICARE. This agreement will underpin the conditions of employment and salaries for all staff.
In December 2015, the PSA wrote to the Chief Executive seeking to begin discussions regarding a consultative framework on:
- the Memorandum of Understanding
- the establishment of on-going consultative arrangements
- the negotiation of a new ICARE NSW award
- staffing establishments
- business processes/policies/procedures/reforms
- recruitment/EOIs and re-deployment
- office accommodation
The PSA met with representatives from ICARE in December 2015 with a commitment from ICARE to begin those discussions in the New Year. ICARE has now proposed to begin this process on 18 March 2016.
Insurance and Care NSW Joint Consultative Committee (JCC)
The JCC is an important forum whereby staff and the PSA are able to highlight issues of importance that affect members in the workplace. It is important that the PSA has input from members across all of the business units that have come together to make up ICARE NSW as part of this transition. The next JCC is set for the 18 March 2016.
Insurance and Care NSW Flexible Working Hours Agreement
Members would be aware that the structure of ICARE NSW includes elements of agencies that were previously part of the Department of Finance and Services. In July 2015, DFSI notified the PSA of its intention to re-negotiate the Flexible Working Hours Agreement (FWHA). ICARE has advised the PSA of its intention to re-negotiate a FWHA for the whole of ICARE NSW. The PSA is mindful of the different agreements that currently exist and it is important to take these into account when negotiating a new agreement.
PSA staff
Matthew Drake-Brockman
Industrial Advocate
