PSA campaign rejecting outright forced relocation of OSR Maitland staff to Gosford
In the past two months there has been a groundswell of opposition from the local Hunter community to the NSW Government’s plan to force 40 Office of State Revenue (OSR) roles from OSR offices in Maitland to Gosford.
Last week the PSA officially launched its campaign to save local Hunter OSR jobs, with state MP for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison.
We are pleased to say the event generated significant local media. The message is simple: hands off local jobs!
Most recently, we were in the Maitland Mercury, which can be read HERE, and on NBN TV which can be viewed HERE.
There are significant issues with the forced relocation:
- the Government’s brazen arrogance in directing staff to shift their entire livelihoods, without consulting those staff, as is its obligation under the Crown Conditions (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009
- excess time travel is a significant health and safety concern. The Government has failed to address these concerns as required under WHS legislation
- will have a huge impact on the local Hunter economy; including all associated flow-on effects of relocating entire families, such as, the decreasing of numbers of children in local schools and people shopping locally
- the relocation allowance is woefully inadequate.
This issue could easily affect anyone in the public service, simply by the stroke of a minister’s pen.
It is now becoming increasingly visible, however, that the Government is beginning to feel the pressure on its forced relocation plan. We want it to realise it has got it wrong, completely wrong, and compel it to back down.
As such the PSA has developed the attached petition to raise awareness and ultimately have the matter debated in Parliament.
You can find a copy of the petition sheet HERE.
Hard copies (originals only) of the petition can be returned to the PSA at 160 Clarence Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000 by mid October.