PSA News – 15 May 2015
Invitation to Parliamentary Forum on workers compensation
Greens MP David Shoebridge is holding a Parliamentary Forum to discuss workers compensation in NSW, in particular the damaging impact of the 2012 “reforms” and what can and should be done to restore decency to the scheme.
PSA General Secretary, Anne Gardiner will be among the speakers.
When: Monday 18 May 2015, 2.00pm
Where: Theatrette, NSW Parliament, Macquarie Street, Sydney
Who: Injured workers, Parliamentary representatives, legal and medical professionals
You can view a flyer for the event HERE
Performance management
On 6 May, the PSA sent letters to all Department Heads seeking consultation and information on the implementation of the performance management systems in their agencies and other government sector areas within their scope of control.
The PSA will soon be conducting listenings to gather the views of members on how performance management should operate.
Proposed changes to the GSE Regulation and Rules affecting Senior Executives & Equivalents
On 8 May, the PSA received a letter from the Public Service Commissioner seeking comment on proposed amendments to the Government Sector Employment Regulation and the Government Sector Employment Rules.
You can read the letter HERE
You can read the Draft Regulation HERE
You can read the Draft Rules HERE
The proposed changes deal mainly with issues around the transitional arrangements for the establishment of the new Senior Executive structure.
As a result, these issues are of most concern to PSA members who are currently:
- Senior Executive Service; or
- Senior Officers; or
- Senior Officer Equivalents.
The Association wants to hear from members in relation to these proposals.
Feedback is required by no later than 20 May 2015.
The PSA submission in relation to these matters needs to be finalised and with the Commission by Friday, 22 May 2015.
Recognition for Prison Officers
For some time now NSW Prison Officers and the PSA have been pushing for due recognition of the work done by members in the state’s prisons.
On 27 March, the Premier received a letter from the Prime Minister stating that he supported the establishment of an Australian Corrections Medal to recognise meritorious service by Correctional Services personnel.
You can read a copy of that letter HERE
Last week, the PSA provided background to the Telegraph about the work done by Prison Officers.
A story appeared in the Telegraph on 12 May and Steve McMahon, Chair of the POVB, has been undertaking a number of media interviews arising from the story.
Government Employee Number
All NSW Government sector employees will soon receive their own unique Government Employee Number (GEN).
GENs will be stored in the NSW Identity Hub, a whole-of-public-sector system managed by the Office of Finance and Services.
The employee number will be retained, even if a worker transfers between agencies, leaves the NSW Government sector or returns at a later date.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) worked with public sector unions, including the PSA, and the NSW Privacy Commissioner to come up with a code of practice to protect workers’ personal details.
The PSA will closely monitor the situation to ensure agencies comply with the Privacy Code of Practice and that no other information about members is collected by agencies.
Information on GENs, including privacy provisions, the code of practice and frequently-asked questions can be found on the PSC website HERE
PSA leads fight for changes to workers comp
The PSA has made a submission to the Minister for Finance proposing a number of changes to workers compensation legislation.
You can read that submission HERE
Nepal Earthquake Appeal
With over 4,000 people confirmed dead, and over a million children said to be ‘severely affected’, Nepal needs our help.
Nepali unions are organising urgent assistance and are calling for global union support.
Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA will work with the General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) and Union Network Nepal Liaison Council (UNI NLC) to provide the following support:
- Medical treatment
- Temporary tent and housing
- Water and food supply
Every contribution counts in the effort to rebuild the lives of people in Nepal.
