Your union, the PSA, has been proactively fighting for several years to achieve the best possible transition to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). Without the PSA, conditions such as your leave entitlements, recognition of service if you return to the public sector, allowances, superannuation and salary increases may have all panned out very differently. As the time draws nearer to the imminent NHVR transfer on 1 August we still have your back and will continue to fight and win pay increases and working conditions for its COI members, we will just be named the CPSU NSW when we do that.

To ensure members are kept put to date below is an update based on some of the questions we have been receiving.

What happens to my union membership?

On transfer you do not need to change your union membership. Whilst the CPSU NSW will be your union, as a member of the PSA you are a member of the CPSU NSW, the Federal arm of the PSA.

What is happening with vaccination for COVID-19?

As members were informed, NHVR has a policy that requires employees to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, this requires a booster.

Members will be provided with a month post transition to be compliant with NHVR’s policy.

For those members who are unvaccinated with an approved exemption we are in continued discussions with TfNSW and NHVR on what will occur. For those employees who are unvaccinated without an approved exemption, TfNSW will not be transitioning those employees.

Will all my leave be transitioning?

Due to representations of the PSA, all leave, including extended leave will transition unless you elect to have all, or part of, your leave cashed out. The only leave you cannot cash out is sick leave, but this will transition.

What happens to approved leave post 1 August?

If you have approved leave which is after 1 August 2022, that approved leave is transitioning with you. If you are looking to take leave post 1 August 2022 and it is an extended period this will need to be approved by NHVR. We understand there was some speculation that leave would not be approved.

Do I need to provide a hard copy of my vaccination certificate?

As we informed members a few weeks ago we were in discussions with NHVR on whether they would continue to require COVID-19 vaccination certificated to be provided in hard copy.

We understand many members were concerned about their privacy and whether or not they could require the information to be provided.  Where vaccination is a requirement of the role the employer can request a copy of the vaccination certificate. In doing so they must comply with privacy legislation.

After several discussions, the NHVR whilst retaining the requirement to provide a hard copy they have agreed that if employees wish to redact information such as their health identification number this can be undertaken. What must be retained on the certificate is your name, vaccinations and vaccination dates.

Will I get a salary increase in from first full pay period from 1 July 2022?

It is unlikely there will be a new RMS Award made prior to your transition to NHVR. As we have indicated previously this would mean an Award increase from 1 the first full pay period 1 July 2022 would not occur prior to 1 August 2022.

The PSA is in discussions with the NHVR about salary increases for the 2022-2023 financial year. It is important to note that all salary increases from 2023 onwards will be in line with the annual wage review. The reason the annual wage review will apply to you is due to the federal arm of the PSA, the CPSU NSW making an application for the annual wage review to apply to copied state awards.

What happens if I return to the NSW Public Service post-transition?
As a result of the PSA you service with NHVR will be recognised as long as you do not have break in service. This means you service with NHVR and all your previous government service will be recognised for the purposes of extended leave.

I am on payroll deductions for my union fees, what do I do?

If you are a member on payroll deductions we suggest that you update your payment method to direct debit. However, you can continue to undertake payroll deductions but you will need to fill in the payroll deduction form provided by NHVR in the on boarding pack.

You can also contact the PSA to find out more. Please do not hesitate to contact your PSA representative:

Ian Braithwaite Organiser 0400 859 630

Jessica Moore Industrial Officer 0408 213 339.

If you are not a member of the PSA now is the time to join HERE.