Safety, Return to Work and Support PSA members bulletin

Safety, Return to Work and Support PSA members bulletin August 2015 (PDF version)

The State Insurance and Care Governance Act 2015 has now been proclaimed and comes into force on Tuesday 1 September 2015. The PSA understands that staff will begin being transferred to the new Insurance and Care Division from 8 September.

The PSA has been corresponding with management about the industrial issues arising from the new Act.

The issues the PSA have as a consequence of the Act are as follows:

• Staff who transfer to the Insurance and Care NSW Division will fall outside the Government Sector Employment Act (GSEA) and therefore the award. Management has corresponded with the PSA. The PSA responded that we are seeking to establish an MOU protecting all entitlements until a new award/s is in place. We have been informed that this is agreed to and will be receiving confirmation this week. We are also informed that entitlements will be protected in the regulations.

• The new Insurance and Care Division is set up in a way which may lead to privatisation. No attempt to privatise the new division is currently proposed but we remain vigilant.

• The new Act undermines the Dust Disease Board, reducing it to an advisory body. Whilst this does not necessarily lead to job losses, it does mean that the organisation will be run by a Ministerial appointee with no independence. The PSA is concerned that there will be downward pressure on the awarding of benefits, including the provision of services to victims of asbestos. It may also undermine the work of members and the care given to victims. The PSA has been, and is continuing to work with Unions NSW and other unions to oppose the changes to the Dust Diseases Board (DDB).

The PSA will continue to keep members informed about these changes.

If you have any inquiries please contact the PSA on 1300 772 679, or or .

Failure to consult with the PSA and staff about relocations

The PSA has raised concerns with SRWS about its failure to adequately consult about recent decisions to move a number of business units to other locations. SRWS is required to consult with the PSA and affected staff before any such decision is made and not merely when the decision is being implemented.

On 6 July 2015, PSA representatives met with the CEO and management representatives to discuss this matter following the issue of Provisional Improvement Notices about SRWS’ failure to consult in relation to the proposed relocation of two business units to other sites. Since this meeting, the PSA confirmed its position in writing to SRWS that the agency is obliged to consult prior to any decision being made that will affect our members in their workplace.

There is a great deal of change underway in the organisation, and more anticipated, and the PSA will continue to ensure that SRWS fulfils its obligations to properly and genuinely consult with our members.

For further information on this matter please contact the PSA on 1300 773 679 or .