The PSA remains in dispute with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) over solicitors’ unsafe workloads and the implementation of the Workload Management Tool (WMT). The WMT Pilot ended on 22 December 2021.
The dispute was listed before the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) for conciliation on 28 February 2022 and, despite the efforts of the PSA, remains unresolved. The matter is now listed for report back on 24 March 2022 before Commissioner Webster.
The ODPP has conducted a review of the WMT Pilot and identified areas of the tool that require change and review. Despite this, the ODPP has indicated to the PSA that it proposes to implement the WMT. The PSA requested there be an undertaking to not implement the WMT prior to further additional steps being taken, including the completion of conciliation. The ODPP declined this request. The PSA is pursuing an order to this effect in the IRC.
Due to multiple reports regarding unsafe workloads, the PSA previously requested that the ODPP provide data about practice sizes. The ODPP declined this request and denied there were any workload issues. The PSA is pursuing its summons to produce requesting data about practice sizes through the IRC. The ODPP has filed a notice of motion to strike out this summons. The PSA maintains the ODPP should produce this data to the PSA.
The PSA maintains strong concerns about whether or not the ODPP is complying with its obligations to provide a safe system of work for staff. The PSA will continue to advocate for safe workloads for staff. The PSA extends our thanks to your PSA delegates for their invaluable assistance throughout the IRC dispute proceedings.
Please contact your PSA staff or Delegates should you wish to provide any information.