The PSA wishes to advise ESR and Training Services members that we are aware the department held a Town Hall today (8 August 2024), addressed by Deputy Secretary, Chloe Read announcing a significant restructure. The PSA met with the Deputy Secretary and Employee Relations this morning to be briefed on the proposed organisational changes and we were provided with documentation, including current and proposed organisational charts and information about impacted roles, for PSA consultation.

The PSA is aware that many impacted staff have already been spoken to one-on-one. We are aware that following an all-division Town Hall at 1.00pm today, staff were invited to attend separate meetings from 2.00pm in Training Services, Skills and Pathways Reform and External Relations areas.

At this stage consultation has been opened for a two-week period, but we reserve the right to determine whether this is adequate for genuine and meaningful consultation.

For your information, the PSA is paying particular attention to ensuring  the department meets its obligations to follow the government’s Workforce Mobility Placement Policy https://www.nsw.gov.au/workforce-mobility-placement-policy [add document link].

This entails the department engaging in a matching process for impacted employees. The department must prioritise the placement of impacted employees to suitable vacant roles first within the department and then proactively share information with the Premiers’ department for the same purpose, to potentially match impacted employees to vacant roles across the broader public sector. The department must consult with impacted employees during the placement process, recognising individual needs and career aspirations.

The PSA has reminded the department of the importance of clear communication and accessible information to employees about the placement process.  We encourage impacted staff to attend the information/support session being held tomorrow on the mobility placement process.

The PSA also invites any members impacted by the ESR TS restructure to contact the PSA Member Support Centre and log your concerns. We encourage members to provide feedback to the PSA particularly concerning workload and workflow impacts considering the proposed changes to role descriptions and reporting lines in a future structure. Please do this in addition to utilising the feedback processes provided for staff by the department.

At this stage, the consultation period runs to 22 August 2024. However, the PSA reserves the right to require further consultation if our members and delegates indicate this is necessary.

For further support, please contact your Training Services PSA delegates, who meet with the PSA regularly. Your delegates are Michael Ross and Vera Kostadinovska.

 PSA staff

Industrial Officer: Katy Ambler

Organiser: Peta Noke