National Parks and Wildlife Service award update – February 2017 (PDF version)

Last week Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) arranged a series of Skype meetings with Rangers. During the meetings OEH threatened to explore alternative industrial arrangements if the PSA did not agree to its current Award variation proposals. Subsequent to those meetings the PSA also undertook a number of workplace meetings last week. Attendance at those meetings was very good and a range of issues and concerns were discussed.

At the meetings, members clearly indicated their overwhelming support for the PSA position on the current issues.

Award variations are made in consent with the PSA and our members. Contrary to any threats made, Rangers currently have an award – the Crown Employees (Office of Environment and Heritage – National Parks and Wildlife Service) Conditions of Employment Award 2015 – which outlines their conditions of employment including long established grading’s and classifications. It cannot be varied without the consent of the PSA.

Following our workplace meetings, National Parks and Wildlife Service delegates met at PSA House on Monday, 6 February 2017 to discuss issues arising from the PSA visits to workplaces.

Delegates at Monday’s meeting agreed to listen to the Department’s response to the PSA letter dated 12 January 2017.

A meeting was then convened with OEH on Wednesday, 8 February 2017.  At this meeting the Department confirmed its ‘current’ position, indicating:

• OEH is seeking to vary your Award via consent with the PSA

• The current proposal does not include any ‘grandfathering’ of Ranger grades

• Consultation on any restructure is currently planned for end of February/March.

The PSA was able to clarify our position, which was if they would like to reach an agreement via consent, they would need to listen to the concerns of our members, and explore alternatives to the ‘non-grandfathering’ of current grades, and alternatives to the introduction of hard barriers.

The Department thanked the PSA for this advice and indicated it would get back to us.

Please see attached RDs for proposed new Ranger grades HERE.

The PSA wishes to thank members for their participation and support at the recent meetings. We look forward to their continued support during this campaign. Members can be sure that whilst the PSA will always consider proposals in good faith, we will not let threats to explore alternative industrial arrangements dull our resolve to always put our member’s best interests first.

Your PSA POVB Delegates are:

Sydney Metro – Tegan Burton

Hurstville; Paramatta – Ben Owers

South Coast; Southern Ranges – Alex Deura

Far South Coast – George Malolakis

Blue Mountains – Kim De Govrik

Western Region – John Holcombe

Northern Tablelands – Peter Clark

Northern Rivers/ North Coast – Janet Cavanaugh

Technical Officers – Ken England

Kempsey – Alex Wyatt

Other NPWS delegates:

Anita Zubovic

Martin Smith

Steve Carter

Trish Swain

 

What can I do?

Speak to your fellow colleagues and get them interested in our campaign.

Ask a fellow worker to join the PSA so we are stronger together.