You are invited to meet your new Public Service Association (PSA) representatives Vivette Horrex and Sharny Chalmers, who are you PSA contacts for Court Reporters.
The meeting is also a chance to catch up with your Delegates in person and via MS Teams.
We can give a brief update on PSA industrial activities and hear from you on workplace issues.
Details
Date 19 August 2025 Time 1:10pm-1:40pm Location Level 7 Lunch room
The meeting will also be conducted via Microsoft Teams Join the meeting here Meeting ID 440 022 874 802 3 Passcode UW2YE9K2
Update for PSA members: Communities and Justice Flexible Work Policy and Procedure
Following the release of the draft Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Flexible Work Policy and Procedure in December 2024, the PSA submitted feedback received following engagement from our members right across the Department. Feedback includes:
The policy is too open to individual interpretation, with decisions on “where work is to be done” left up to the discretion of an individual manager.
The need for the policy to include a definition of what “principally” in the office means as a benchmark for “where work is done”.
Without this benchmark for managers, the number of workplace grievances will skyrocket.
The discretionary component to flexibility disproportionately affects women. DCJ and Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) need to explain how they will continue to support the workforce participation of women and gender equality if decisions around flexibility are left solely to individual managers.
There needs to be clearer guidance articulated in the policy on when additional arrangements may be approved, such as family responsibilities; significant commute times, regardless of whether employee is regional or metro; and illness or injury.
The need for recognition in the policy that people with family responsibilities, significant commute times, regardless of whether employee is regional or metro, and injury or illness can enter into an individual hybrid agreement which allows for more flexibility.
Recognition of the effect on regional communities and economies if flexibility is arbitrarily removed.
The need for an explicit section stating that things such as leave, including sick, recreational and flex, do not require any “making up” of office time. A sick day on an office day does not require a working from home day to be changed to an office day. Managers should simply manage sick leave and absences in line with policies and Award requirements.
Clearer support for more agile arrangements, in particular areas within the Department that should gain an automatic exemption, such as the Remote Service Delivery Team.
The need for a list of approved NSW Government offices, workplaces and related work sites and a DCJ- and CSNSW-wide booking system to make it easier for employees to work in the office.
The need for DCJ and CSNSW to conduct an audit and risk-assessment process around the current lack of IT infrastructure to support greater office presence, given majority of their meetings are on Teams.
The policy should have an effective date and should be future-focused. The policy should allow DCJ and CSNSW to honour arrangements that were approved in writing and are in place.
On Tuesday 24 March 2025, DCJ responded to the feedback received by releasing an updated policy and procedure for consultation. You can find the proposed updated policy HERE, and the proposed updated procedures HERE.
Some key amendments
The Department has made some amendments. However, a number of concerns raised with the policy remain unaddressed. The amendments made include:
An update to the definition of principally to state that “in DCJ, ‘Principally’ means that at least 50 per cent of your work time is spent at your approved office, workplace, or related work site/s, over a period of one month. At least some of that time is to be on a Monday or Friday.”
Only staff who do not meet this requirement are required to seek approval.
The following statement has been added to the Scope in both the policy and procedure:
“Remote working is not generally available to frontline staff. This Policy supports the implementation of NSW Premier’s Department Circular 2024-03 NSW Government Sector workplace presence in DCJ and CSNSW and it is not intended to introduce or expand remote working availability.”
The recognition of the need to define what “principally” in the office means to at least 50 per cent of your work time over a period of one month gives some guidance to what is acceptable under the policy.
The recognition that only employees not meeting the requirement of working “principally” from the office at least 50 per cent over a period of a month need to seek approval from their line manager is also, on the face of it, a welcome change.
The PSA believes it needs to be more explicitly stated within the policy that this arrangement is a standard one, which does not need a line manager’s explicit approval. The PSA has concerns that the procedures as stated, which involve a “team” discussion and plan, will be used by managers who may not support flexibility to deny arrangements which the policy states do not need their approval.
The addition of the statement that remote working is generally not available to frontline staff is an unnecessary addition. This may have the affect of removing flexibility for people who currently have it. The PSA strongly believes in an “if not, why not?” approach, which does not rely on whether someone’s roles is considered “frontline” or not by a particular manager.
Workplace adjustments
It is important to note DCJ has clarified there should be no changes for employees who have workplace adjustments in place, which include the need for working from home. Employees are eligible to ask for adjustments if they are a person with disability or a carer. You can view the DCJ Workplace adjustment Policy HERE. This policy is not changing. However, DCJ needs to ensure that workplace adjustments for things such as disability or caring responsibilities are managed under this policy, and not subject to the Flexible Work Policy and Procedures need for discretionary approval from a manager.
Where to from here?
The PSA has requested a further meeting with DCJ to discuss the Policy and Procedure and the changes that have been outlined above. We will also seek a clear communication plan from DCJ, and information on how they plan to consult with their staff on the above major change. We will keep members up to date with developments as they occur.
You can provide further feedback to the updated policy and procedures by contacting the PSA. The PSA has set up a dedicated mailbox at for providing feedback for anyone across DCJ.
Your New Delegates: Court Reporters Vocational Advisory Group
Members were notified of an election for delegates to represent the Court Reporters Vocational Advisory Group (CRVAG) on 16 February 2024. Four (4) nominations were called for all delegate positions.
Following the close of nominations on 15 March 2024, four (4) nominations were made. These nominations were accepted and have been duly elected.
Congratulations to our new CRVAG delegates:
Stephanie Bentley
Sadie Jack
Frances Kerr
Louise Moller
CRVAG delegates will meet with PSA staff and elect office bearers in due course. If you need to talk union, you can reach your delegates at the contacts below.
The PSA would like to thank Margot Shearwood, who has supported colleagues by advocating for court reporters at JCC meetings since September 2021. Our new CRVAG delegates will continue the work of advocating for the interests of all court reporters.
Call for nominations: Court Reporters Vocational Advisory Group
Four Delegates required
Nominations are called for positions of delegate on the Court Reporters Vocational Advisory Group.
What is the CRVAG?
The CRVAG represents the interests of all PSA members who are employed as Court Reporters.
The CRVAG advises the PSA about matters of concern to its members. Typically, these will be issues affecting all or a large section of Court Reporters, such as restructures, relocations, staffing, workload, or safety issues.
The CRVAG is comprised of Delegates elected from the membership every two years. The CRVAG consists of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary.
What else do Delegates do?
PSA Delegates have a variety of responsibilities, the core of which is to represent the interests of all PSA members who are Court Reporters.
PSA Delegates meet with the members of senior management as part of the Joint Consultative Committee where they represent members. PSA Delegates may also represent the members in negotiations with management or in industrial disputes.
PSA Delegates are a point of contact for members when workplace issues arise.
PSA delegates are provided with industrial protection for their protected union activities and will be granted paid special leave for approved union activity.
Being a PSA Delegate is a good opportunity to represent your colleagues and have your voice heard about issues that affect Court Reporters.
Each nomination must be supported by two other PSA members who are Court Reporters. Nominees, nominators, and seconders must be financial members of the Association as of 16 February 2024
The call for nominations is as follows
Four delegates to the Court Reporters Vocational Advisory Group.
Nominations and closing date
Nominations open 9:00am Friday 16 February 2024 and must be submitted via THIS LINK.
Nominations will close close of business Friday 15 March 2024.
In case of a ballot, candidates who wish to have a profile available for voters to read should provide a brief statement of 300 words or less stating how they will best represent members’ interests.
Huge Win for Court Officers – Reclassification from January 2024
Earlier this morning, the PSA attended a consultation meeting with the Office of the Sheriff around the announcement that Court Officers working within the Sheriffs Office will transition from a Clerk General Scale to a Clerk 1/2 from January 2024.
What does this mean?
This will result in pay rises of approximately $3,688 from January 2024, with yearly increments every January to the top of the Clerk 1/2 rate. This will also mean that due to yearly PSA negotiated pay increases usually paid in July, Court Officers will receive 2 pay increases a year for the next 4 years.
The current Clerk 1/2 pay scales are reproduced below:
Classification
Common Salary Point
Salary as at 1.7.23
Grade 1
1st year of service
46
70,694
Thereafter
49
72,772
Grade 2
1st year of service
52
74,803
Thereafter
55
76,857
A fantastic outcome
Credit must be given to the Sheriff of NSW for this announcement and the progression of the Uplift program, as well as all involved from DCJ in approving this reclassification. Credit also must be given to your PSA delegates, who have been tirelessly pushing for the reclassification of Court Officers, as well as the progression of the Uplift for Sheriff Officers, recently raising this very issue with the Attorney General. The reclassification of Court Officers is a massive win for affecting real change via consent between all parties and shows the power of effective consultation and advocacy from your Union.
Consultation continues
The PSA understands that there will be no application process for the transition from Clerk General Scale to Clerk 1/2, and that staff will be automatically reclassified, or “appointed”. There is a commitment to no job losses through the process. We will have further updates as the Consultation around the announcement continues.
Update for PSA members: Court Reporters Vocational Advisory Group
The PSA would like to update members about the status of the Court Reporters Vocational Group (CRVG).
As the CRVG had not held elections, conducted an Annual General Meeting (AGM), or met as required by the PSA Rules and Bylaws, it was unfortunately considered inoperative, and all positions considered vacant. Pursuant to the PSA Rules and ByLaws, any Group inoperative for 12 months requires the Group to be considered at a meeting of the PSA Executive, and action taken to revive or dissolve the group. On Monday 28 August 2023, the PSA Executive met and approved a recommendation to revive the Court Reporters Vocational Advisory Group.
A formal call for nominations to the newly constituted Court Reporters Vocational Advisory Group will be forthcoming. Please keep an eye out and nominate if you are interested in being a part of the Committee.
Consultation requirements: what can we raise at JCCs?
Agencies covered by the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009 are required to apply the 1997 Consultative Arrangements Policy. This requirement was set out in a matter the PSA won regarding consultation in the Industrial Relations Commission in 2014.
The ruling stated:
The necessary implication must be that, if management and the PSA are to effectively consult on ‘matters of mutual interest and concern, both formal and informal’, they are required to do so in accordance with the 1997 Consultative Arrangements…. the language of cl.65.1, when read in context, confirms an intention that there be an effective means of consultation between management and the PSA in the form of the 1997 Consultative Arrangements which carried with it a legal obligation to comply with those Arrangements. ……The parties will be required to act in accordance with those provisions by undertaking consultation within the framework of those Arrangements and, in the case of terms expressed as being obligatory, to act accordingly.”
The PSA considers that any requirement that matters must be raised at staff meetings before discussion by the union and management to not be in keeping with the Consultative Arrangements. The Policy Principles states that:
The relevant union(s) is recognised as the legitimate representative of employees and the channel for negotiation.
Provision to the union and its representatives of relevant and appropriate information is necessary to enable them to make informed contributions to Issues.
The PSA will continue to raise issues that our members want raised at Consultative Forums, regardless of any attempts to limit the effectiveness of the Consultative Arrangements.
PSA win for Court Reporters at Reporting Services Branch
For quite some time, the PSA has been dealing with the Reporting Services Branch Executive to provide our members with equipment that is adequate for them to produce court transcripts of the best possible quality.
In the past, members have arrived at court locations only to find faulty, uncharged and/or defective equipment that prevented them from doing their duties.
From this week on, PSA members will finally have access to 10 purchased hearing loops which will be for the sole use and care of Court Reporters.
If you know a colleague that is not a member, and would like to know more about your union, please pass on PSA Member Support Centre number; 1800 772 679. You can also reach out to your worksite Delegate Margot Shearwood.
Not a member?
Join the PSA HERE.
To see more membership benefits, click HERE.
Margot has been nominated by PSA members to help you in your workplace with any matters that you need assistance with. Margot is looking forward to work alongside PSA Organiser Alex Sala in supporting and representing members in making your worksite a better place to work.
PSA meets quarterly with RSB’s Management at Joint Consultative Committee meetings (JCC) to improve and strengthen the practices of communication, participation and consultation across the RSB. The PSA is now seeking a date for the next JCC to take place soon. Margot will be part of these meetings to raise our members concerns.
The PSA is aware that the Downing Centre has been closed for deep-cleaning. While we have limited info at the moment, we would like to remind members of the following extract from the Premiers Circular titled C2021-14 Employment Arrangements during COVID-19.
Workplace is closed
Where the workplace is closed, flexible work arrangements should be considered either at home or from another office location. Where work is unable to be provided to these employees, they are to be paid as normal and are placed on paid special leave.
Don’t forget that your union is here for you. If you have any enquiries about COVID-19 working arrangements please contact the Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679
Have your say: What do you want from your employer in regards to WFH survey 2020
Complete our What do you want from your employer in regards to WFH survey, and tell us what you want at work.
After our members’ meeting on 22 June, concerns were raised about working from home, workload disparity and discrepancies in the types of assignments and tasks allocated. You can complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSBsurvey2020.
We are asking members and non-members to tell us what matters to them in their workplaces, so we can campaign and represent you effectively.
Forward this survey on to your colleagues so they can have their say, too. The survey is open to members and non-members. You can join us atwww.psa.asn.au/join.
During our members’ meeting held on 22 June 2020, concerns were raised about working from home, workload disparity and discrepancies in the types of assignments and tasks allocated.
We are asking members and non-members to tell us what matters to you in your workplace.
What you can do is complete our What do you want from the RSB Working from Home (WFH) Survey 2020, and tell us what you want at work.
We are asking members and non-members to tell us what matters to them in their workplaces. Forward this survey on to your colleagues so they can have their say, too. The survey is open to members and non-members. You can join us at www.psa.asn.au/join.
We look forward to hearing from you.
What can you do?
Ask a work colleague join the PSA today
Make the union strong by forwarding this bulletin to your colleagues
Funeral details for Jeff Walters, Chair of the Petty Sessions Officers Association
It is with great sadness that the PSA advises members that Jeffrey Walters, Chair of the Petty Sessions Officers Association, passed away last week.
Jeff was a staunch unionist and a PSA member for over 30 years. He tirelessly advocated for workers’ rights. Jeff was highly respected for his selfless work on behalf of members. Jeff also contributed to all PSA members through his time on the PSA Central Council.
Jeff was also a currently elected councillor of our national union, the CPSU-State Public Sector Federation.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, a private family funeral will be held.
