PSA News – 19 February 2016

Crime scene staff equal pay fight

PSA members at Fingerprint Operations refused to collect and analyse fingerprints recently to draw attention to pay disparity between them and their sworn colleagues.

Members voted in late January to implement bans to protest doing the same work for less money.

The action was covered by the Sunday Telegraph.

LPI privatisation reprieve – of sorts

Whilst the PSA is pleased that Valuation Services and Information Sourcing will no longer be considered as part of the scoping study into Land and Property Information (LPI), there is still widespread concern about the proposed privatisation of Titling and Registry Services.

The PSA also has concerns about the planned review of these units and how Titling and Registering Services, Valuation Services and Information Sourcing will operate as separate units from July 2016.

The PSA strongly believes LPI should remain wholly in the hands of public servants who are impartial and not profiteering from the taxpayers of NSW.

There will be a rally at Queen’s Square in Sydney on Wednesday 24 February from 12.30-1.30 to show members’ opposition to any outsourcing model for LPI.

PSA stands up for the Illawarra

With Dapto TAFE, Pillar and the NSW Trustee and Guardian under threat from the Baird Government, Wollongong is feeling the pressure.

The south coast city’s media is alerting the community to the PSA’s concerns.

Read a recent story from the Illawarra Mercury about the likely effects on the city of cuts to the NSW Trustee and Guardian HERE.

The PSA has also protested about job cuts in TAFE Illawarra’s 12 libraries and recently held a successful rally opposing privatising public disability services; see the story HERE

Super funds under review

Industry Super Australia has asked former governor of the Reserve Bank, Bernie Fraser, to conduct a review on Good Governance and Not-For-Profit Industry Funds.

Submissions closed on 1 February.

Unions NSW has provided a submission.

The Fraser Review’s scope can be read HERE

TAFE to swap masters?

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported there are plans to move TAFE funding from State to the Federal Government and expose the sector to further competition from the private sector.

The report, which can be found HERE, included a warning from former TAFE Directors Australia chairman, Bruce Mackenzie, that the plans could see course fees rise even higher.

Rally for injured workers

The Injured Workers Support Network is holding a rally outside the insurers’ 2016 Workers’ Compensation Summit at the Swissotel on Market Street, Sydney on Tuesday 23 February.

The rally, which begins at 8:30am, aims to give voice to injured workers unable to attend the summit.

For more information, go HERE

Saving Medicare

The Turnbull government’s announcement of $650 million in cuts to pathology and diagnostic imaging services is an attack on our public health system.

These cuts will mean fewer providers will bulk-bill and that patients could face new upfront costs for services such as blood tests, urine tests, pap smears, MRIs and STI checks. These costs will stop patients from getting the tests they need to look after their health and detect serious conditions early.

It’s crucial that we build a campaign against these cuts and in support of Medicare.