POVB member bulletin – 19 December 2018 – December 2018 (PDF version)

Benchmarking

We were before Commissioner Murphy at the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) again on 17 December 2018 for benchmarking.

Issues discussed:

• Long Bay staffing
• MSPC Maximum Inmate State Dispute
• MRRC staffing
• Lithgow trial

Members should be aware we have a process on how vacancies are to be filled over the Christmas period up until 31 January 2019. This process was put out in a bulletin recently. If any centre has issues with this process being implemented by management, please let us know.

It was also agreed that CSNSW does not intend to place any inmates in the MSPC above the 1218 maximum inmate state prior to 31 January 2019.

As discussed at the Delegates to Management Conference in early December, also confirmed by Mr Corcoran at this Conference and confirmed by CSNSW in the IRC, VORs should be used as a last resort and only when all avenues have been exhausted in filling positions. If you are aware of all avenues not being exhausted, then please contact a member of the executive. If all avenues have been exhausted and positions cannot be filled, then there will be a VOR but it must be consulted on.

We remind everyone if members are not happy with the VOR and have issues with what is proposed they are to invoke the Safe Staffing Award if the consultation process breaks down. This will then raise the issue to the higher level, from local level to Director and POVB Executive level.

Red Tape/POVB Executive Elections 2019

At the July Delegates to Management meeting it was passed by the Management Committee to increase the POVB State Executive to six.

This is to assist in getting around the State to all centres and court locations as it has just been too difficult due to the geography and meeting times, plus the demand due to CSNSW reforms.

PSA has published the up and coming POVB Executive Elections which is in March 2019. There was an error in the position titles.  The correct titles are as follows:

• Chairperson
• Vice Chairperson
• Secretary
• Assistant Secretary
• Country Vice Chairperson 1
• Country Vice Chairperson 2

These elections will be done electronically rather than a postal vote. This was also passed at the July Delegates to Management meeting. It has been proven that more people vote in this form rather than postal voting.

Nominations for the positions will be accepted in February 2019.

Delegates to Management meeting

Opposition Leader Mr Michael Daley attended the Delegates to Management meeting.  The previous Opposition Leader, Mr Luke Foley, promised the delegates in February that if voted Labour would do the following:

• No privatisation
• Change Workers Compensation
• Recognise Custodial staff as emergency services/front line workers
• Change GSE, Greater powers for the IRC and bring back Government Related Employees Appeal Tribunal.

Mr Daley confirmed and reassured the delegates that he stood for the same points and wanted to assure delegates that he valued the work that we do and realises that we have been unappreciated.

We are aware that many members would still be cautious of any party, as both have privatised Correctional Centres. However, this current Government has privatised more than $70 billion worth of NSW assets and, if elected again, will have a mandate to privatise more. And Correctional Centres, courts and transport will be in the firing line.

Local Sub Branch Meetings

In the new year, the Executive would like to get around to as many centres and court locations as possible.

We are aware we have not been able to get to as many court locations as we would like and that benchmarking has been our focus over the past two years.

If all centres and court locations could designate a specific date each month for monthly union meetings, this will assist us or the new Executive, if one is elected, to plan to attend meetings. It is also requested that the meetings in country locations are booked for Tuesday, Wednesday or a Thursday to enable a member of the Executive travel time to get to the locations, especially remote locations and locations with a considerable distance to the metro region.

If the dates could be locked in and sent to the Executive within two weeks of the New Year, it would be appreciated.

Christmas/New Year

This year has been a hectic year for the POVB Executive and we know that it certainly has been for our members. We thank everyone for staying united and showing that the POVB is united and stronger than ever.

The Executive wish to thank all the delegates for their assistance throughout the year. We could not do the job that we do without your assistance. You have all made our job that little bit easier and you have all helped support the members in your work locations.

We wish every member and your families a great Christmas and for those staff working Christmas Day take care, work safely and we hope you get to spend some time with your families. We thank you for the work you do especially on this day.

For the New Year we hope that we get to see you all at your meetings, we hope that the year brings you and your family happiness, health and that you all stay safe.

Contact Details:

Nicole Jess – Chairperson
0427 609 199

Jason Charlton – Vice Chairperson
0401 500 976

Thor Sutherland – Country Chairperson
0447 633 476

Natalie Howes – Secretary
0407 011 441

Darren King – Assistant Secretary
0407 935 039

David McCauley – POVB Industrial Officer
0419 022 767