COVID-19 disruptions cited for further delays to bargaining at NSW Aboriginal Land Council
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council has asked for more time to prepare its communication systems before initiating enterprise bargaining with union and staff representatives, citing the COVID-19 health crisis as an unavoidable disruption to normal business activities.
The development comes after union efforts to discuss short-term alternatives to failed to establish sufficient common ground between NSWALC and the CPSU NSW.
In response to an anticipated Government escalation of social gathering restrictions and their likely impact on the Council’s ability to conduct negotiations, the union wrote to the NSWALC to discuss interest in a one-year extension to the current enterprise agreement, including a 2.5 per cent increase in pay.
While the NSWALC indicated a willingness to entertain a short-term extension of the current enterprise agreement, the organisation was not prepared to offer any increase in salaries or allowances. Click HERE to view a copy of our exchange of correspondence.
At this point the Council expects to be in a position to bargain in the week commencing 11 May 2020. Click HERE for a copy of their letter.
Members are reminded to complete our bargaining survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/TG5Q2XN. The survey will close at 5pm on 24 April, 2020.
Expression of interest are also sought from metropolitan and regional members interested in participating in bargaining as a CPSU workplace representative. Please email either Kirra Jackson (">) or Thane Pearce (">) or call us on 1800 772 679 for further information.
The current pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for members working in the Office of the Sheriff, including all SHO staff not working from home in particular Sheriff Officer’s and court Officer’s. Every member should be congratulated and rightly proud of the work they have done in the face of these challenges. You provide a critical service to the state, even if it’s not always as visible to the community as your colleagues in other emergency services.
Social distancing and work practices
Office of the Sheriff has an obligation under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, to keep our staff and the public safe and to minimise the risk of COVID-19 exposure to staff.
At this time you are not working in a business-as-usual environment and social distancing still needs to be practiced as much as the environment allows. Your work still needs to be done but adaptations need to be made to minimise the risk to yourselves and others.
Every work site is different and we encourage you to work with your fellow members, your local delegates and local management in addressing these issues appropriately. Please see current standing direction from the Sheriff HERE feel free to pass on feedback to your local delegates.
Frequently Asked Questions- Social Distancing
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the Department is required to eliminate and then minimise risks to workers health and safety.
We are aware that the Sheriff’s work environment can be a high risk under the COVID-19 pandemic and that not only the public but staff themselves pose risk in bringing the virus into workplaces. Social Distancing may be a key strategy to maintain worker safety and to maintain business continuity in the case of an infection in the environment.
Therefore we are recommending the following in line with federal and state health recommendations whilst trying to maintain 4 square meter spaces where possible:
All security procedures should be followed as a priority in safety over infection measures
If required to undertake security measures that put you at risk of infection, appropriate PPE should be provided. WHO and NSW Health current advice is still that washing hands with soap and water or the use of hand sanitiser is still the most effective way of not contracting the virus.
Review local procedures to avoid unnecessary exposure where possible, including through amendment of risks no longer necessary in consultation with your management.
That all non-essential meetings utilise social distancing or digital communication to avoid risk of infection.
If you are suffering respiratory symptoms- do not go to work and notify your local managers.
Regularly undertake hygiene measures such as cleaning hands.
All workplaces should be increasing their cleaning regime.
Frequently Asked Questions- Workers Compensation and COVID 19
The PSA and the Department have worked on mechanisms to get special leave for all workers affected by COVID 19 under the Premiers Circular 2020-01. This support with your Medicare system (which unions also fought for and won) should provide most workers with their immediate health and income needs. There are however, concerns for PSA members if they do get infected, that the recovery time for COVID19 can be longer for some people than just a few weeks.
Doctors have been reporting cases overseas state that a small number of patients have experienced lung scaring and delayed recovery. There is no uniform answer for whether workers compensation will cover workers in every situation.
There is a legal requirement for liability to be accepted under Workers Compensation Act 1987, that a causal nexus must exist between work and the injury/illness, and for diseases liability that the illness was acquired in the course of work and work was the main contributing factor.
What can you do?
Encourage your colleagues to (JOIN Link) the PSA online
Give a copy of this bulletin to your colleagues.
Print this bulletin and put it up on your notice board.
Get involved as a PSA Delegate/Contact – get in touch with your Organiser.
COVID-19 Update – Community Corrections – April 2020
The current pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for members working in Community Corrections. Every member should be congratulated and rightly proud of the work they have done in the face of these challenges. You provide a critical service to the State, even if it’s not always as visible to the community as your colleagues in other emergency services.
The PSA has a weekly teleconference with the Assistant Commissioner for Community Corrections to raise and progress issues. It is important that any issues the PSA raises in these forums have attempted resolution or clarification at a local level, initially through the Centre Manager and subsequently through the Director if not addressed. Below are some recent updates from this forum:
Command Post, Policy and Consultation
PSA Industrial Staff liaise with the Command Post, including involvement in the daily briefings. Matters can be raised here where not being addressed adequately on a local level.
The PSA will communicate any significant matters out of this forum but notes that Commissioner’s Instruction (07/2020) and Community Corrections COVID-19 Response Plan was circulated to all members on 23 March. In the fortnight since then, a range of fact sheets have also been distributed by Community Corrections on various health and safety procedures with regards to COVID-19.
Parramatta Community Corrections – Positive Case
The PSA was advised of a positive case at Parramatta last week and was promptly briefed by the Director about the steps undertaken to manage this. The PSA was able to reach most members via phone to check in and be assured this was being managed appropriately, in conjunction with NSW Health.
The PSA has suggested that it might be appropriate to reassess the A Team/B Team model to expand the number of teams where possible and thereby minimise the number of members affected and needing to self-isolate if there is a positive case in a centre. Alternatives are being considered.
Rollout of Technology
Community Corrections have advised they are doing as much as possible in making technology available that enables working from home:
The remainder of the initial 600 phones will be distributed by the end of the week with another 200 on the way.
The metro laptop rollout should be finalised by the end of this week with regional rollout finalised in the next few weeks.
Contact with Inmates in Isolation
The PSA was advised that Community Corrections staff should only have in-person contact with an isolated offender in custody when there are no alternative methods available to provide an essential service. If required, it is expected this contact would only be required in a rare exceptional circumstance.
If a member assesses they need to have direct (face-to-face) contact with an isolated offender, they must obtain approval from their Manager to do so. All appropriate personal protective equipment (as per Commissioner’s Instruction 2020/16), must be worn. If this equipment is not available the contact should not proceed.
Mental Health Management
The PSA and Community Corrections management both agree on the importance of managing mental health of members when working from home. It is particularly important that you use the various digital platforms like Microsoft Teams and Webex, as well as regular phone calls, to stay in touch with each other.
You should be talking to your Unit Leaders regularly and particularly after a critical incident, or challenging phone call or visit. They can assist you in dealing with the current challenges in the working environment and it’s important to reach out. You can also contact Benestar.
Google Duo App
This has been utilised to standardise access across different devices and allow video calls. A User Guide has been distributed.
Casual Field Officers
As communicated to members previously, casual Field Officers will have access to up to 20 days of Special Leave where alternative duties cannot be found. Note this is on a pro-rata basis.
For example, if you normally work 3 days per week, you should be entitled to a total of 12 days of Special Leave. Community Corrections is working on an updated fact sheet but questions or concerns should be clarified through your Manager and then the relevant Director in the meantime.
High Risk Categories
Directors are working with Managers to identify members in high risk categories who may need enhanced working from home arrangements. Members should identify themselves with Managers where they are in these categories.
Access to WFH and Leave – Individual Assistance
A number of members are facing challenges accessing appropriate working from home arrangements, or access to leave entitlements. The PSA can assist with this but in the first instance you will need to speak to your Manager. Put in the application and contact the PSA if the application has been formally rejected (ideally in writing with specific reasons for the rejection).
Applications based on the risk category of yourself or somebody you care for should include medical certification with:
The name of the sick or at risk person;
Specific details of why that person is at an elevated risk if they are exposed to COVID-19 (the more information the better);
That the officer lives with/cares for that at risk person (for carer’s leave)
As a result, the officer is required to self-isolate to protect themselves or the at risk person.
Members seeking Special Leave due to their risk category should consider that:
They may require a certificate to clear them for a return to work;
The special leave is for 20 days, once that expires no more will be granted and other forms of leave or LWOP will need to be used if further isolation is necessary.
Make sure your colleagues have protection in these challenging times by making sure they are in the union. The PSA can only represent its members – non-members can JOIN ONLINE HERE.
Due to the redeployment of CESU staff going to centres there has been a shortage of shifts for casuals.
CSNSW is working on strategies, i.e, AVL/Tablets Visits, increase in security measures in centres and Intel support and it is hoped this will assist the casuals in getting shifts and we are in support of these measures.
We have been very lucky in not having a positive case of COVID-19 in our centres with either a custodial staff member or inmate/s. If that is to change it could affect up to 50% of the workforce in a centre or location. This would mean that the reliance on casuals would increase greatly.
We are hoping with the AVL/tablets Visits etc., that there will be a greater need for casuals, especially in metro areas, in the coming days.
CESU redeployment
From all accounts the redeployment of staff to centres has gone quite smoothly. If matters arise we will work with the individuals and the locations.
It has been pleasing to hear that the staff have been welcomed into the centres and that there has been no push back.
Special Leave
We are aware that there are issues with special leave. CSNSW have produced a document that outlines where special leave can be taken and what documentation is required. We have sent back responses on the document and we have emphasised two points of their document that we have major concerns with.
CSNSW will get back to us on our responses and their final decision on it. We will then progress this further if we cannot come to a consensus.
We ask that if you have applied and been declined special leave can you forward your documentation and the response received from CSNSW to , and
Isolation Hubs and Field Hospitals
The announcement from the Commissioner in regards to Isolation Hubs and field hospitals has shown that we are nowhere near out of the woods for COVID-19 impacting our centres.
The initiatives will assist in decreasing inmate movement around the State. They will increase in the short term to clear centres to make way for the Hubs and hospitals. After this takes place this will go a long way in calming members’ anxiety with the moves that have previously been taking place.
Delegates will start having consultation with managers on how this will affect the centres who have been identified as Isolation Hubs and where the field hospitals will be located.
We will work closely with the delegates to assist in any way we can to meet the objectives but to maintain safety and security.
Non-related COVID-19
Elections – have been delayed over the last few weeks due to the workload of the POVB Executive and the PSA staff setting up to work from home. Elections that are outstanding will be worked on next week to get up and running.
Workers Compensation – Amanda Cotter is going to be working on the worker’s compensation individual issue in the coming weeks. We were meant to meet monthly but due to restrictions on meetings we have not been able to and time constraints have meant we have not had time to put into the individual matters.
Amanda will work with the Welfare Officer, Trish O’Brien so she can give individuals support if required.
Increments – We have submitted the list. The response from CSNSW should be back to us hopefully by next week. We will push for that and put out a bulletin next week with more information.
Delegates to Management Meeting – The meeting is meant to take place in June. This is for a representative from each sub branch to meet over a 3-day period. Due to current restrictions it cannot take place. If these restrictions are to continue into June PSA/POVB are looking at other ways, teleconferencing, it could take place.
Once we have more information will let delegates know how it will take place.
Contact Details
Nicole Jess
Chairperson
0427 609 199
Jason Charlton
Vice Chairperson
0401 500 976
Amanda Cotter
Secretary
0404 042 600
Thor Sutherland
Assistant Secretary
0447 633 476
Darren King
Country Vice Chair
0407 935 039
Natalie Howes
Country Vice Chair
0407 011 441
David McCauley
POVB Industrial Officer
0419 022 767
Emergency ambulance cover available for all PSA members
In uncertain times, it is good to know your union has your back.
As COVID-19 spreads throughout the country, the PSA CPSU NSW has arranged temporary emergency ambulance cover for all eligible members.
If members are hit by injury or sickness, for whatever reason, for the next three months they will get emergency transport to the nearest available hospital equipped to deal with their condition, all without the nasty bill at the end.
The coverage is part of the union’s reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the virus hit our workplaces, the PSA CPSU NSW went straight to the Government to ensure members have access to Special Leave during the crisis. The Member Support Centre is also operating for longer hours.
We are also liaising with the Government to ensure the safety of those essential workers who can’t stay home.
Ambulance cover is for eligible members of the PSA CPSU NSW who have no other access to coverage through private health insurance or other bodies. As always, our members also have free journey insurance for travelling to and from work, free personal injury insurance, family insurance for $11 per year for the whole household, and a host of shopping discounts.
Legal Aid: PSA meets with CEO regarding weekend bail courts
Representatives of the PSA today met with the CEO Mr Brendan Thomas and other managers to discuss arrangements for Weekend Bail Courts from this Friday, 10 April 2020.
Legal Aid has developed a proposal for AVL appearances by means of VMR software and is moving forward to implement it as a trial this weekend. Management is allocating significant legal, administrative, financial and technical resources to give the plan its best chance of success.
It cannot be denied that there remain significant technical and logistical obstacles and there is no absolute guarantee the proposal can go live this weekend. The PSA assures members management is making all reasonable efforts to achieve the preferred outcome at this stage.
It is understood that, should insuperable technical obstacles present themselves, Legal Aid may resort to an emergency back-up plan which will mean personal appearances may be unavoidable. Management is in discussion with Courts Admin to ensure scrupulous cleaning and that there is sanitiser and wipes available, noting the short supply last weekend.
Participation in the bail courts roster will continue to be voluntary. Personal appearances will only be required if there is no alternative.
Details of the arrangements are still under discussion and members will be advised of further developments. The PSA thanks the CEO and Legal Aid Management for the continued support shown to front line staff at this difficult time.
The PSA wanted to congratulate and thank our Corrective Services members who are working as essential service workers, keeping our justice system safe for inmates and parolees, the community and the workforce. A regular question the PSA gets is whether we will be covered if we put in a workers’ compensation claim if exposed to COVID-19 at work.
Every case is different based on different circumstances and the following advice is of a general nature.
Workers Compensation (Income and Medical Support) The union and the Department have worked on mechanisms to get special leave for all workers affected by COVID-19 under the Premier’s Circular 2020-01. This support, with the Medicare system (which unions also fought for and won), should provide most workers with their immediate health and income needs in the case of an infection. However, there are concerns for PSA members if they do get infected with severe symptoms, that the recovery time for COVID-19 can be longer for some people than just a few weeks as contained in the special leave provisions (20 days). Doctors reporting cases overseas, state that a small number of patients have experienced delayed recovery and some patients experiencing permanent lung dysfunction.
There is no uniform answer for whether workers’ compensation will cover workers in every situation. There is a requirement before liability is accepted under Workers’ Compensation Act 1987, for occupational diseases (COVID-19 is considered a disease) that the illness was acquired in the course of work and work was the main contributing factor. In non-legal speak, this requires your work to be the main cause. Therefore by all staff maintaining a movement logs, by staff notifying of suspected COVID-19 exposures and isolation, incident reporting, this may assist members with contact tracing as required from NSW Health and may have the advantage of assisting to prove workers compensation liability in the circumstance when other leave is exhausted and a member needs the assistance. It is anticipated that incidents such as workplace clusters would be easier to prove, than somebody who does not practice social distancing out of work hours. The major problem in getting accepted liability for COVID-19 and other influenzas is proving that work was the source of infection.
For all workers’ compensation matters, you should consult the union who can support you or refer you to our lawyers if required.
As last reported to members on 26 March 2020 HERE, TFNSW and unions meet weekly for a briefing from the TfNSW Secretary and COVID-19 Taskforce.
On 3 April the latest issues were reported.
Two employees and seven contractors across the Transport cluster have tested positive prior to 3 April and have been placed in isolation.
Unfortunately, a long-term employee contracted the virus whilst on extended leave and passed away overseas. Condolences have been relayed to family and work colleagues by the Secretary and endorsed by union representatives on 3 April.
Transport for NSW has established reporting lines for staff in relation to issues around the COVID-19 Taskforce management and the agency’s response.
Contact lines
For reporting incidents and confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), call 1800 091 966 (24 hours) immediately (Incident Management Team).
For general enquiries call 133 877, Mon-Sun 7am-7pm
Issues raised by the PSA
Effective Consultation The PSA expressed its displeasure at not being immediately notified that operational team members at the TMC Eveleigh had to be relocated to an alternative Sydney metro location on 28 March. This was due to a staff member testing positive. Whilst this makes good sense for Health, Safety and Operational reasons, it is unacceptable that the union has to rely on a member calling the PSA whilst seeking advice regarding the transfer of work location, to be notified of this incident. Hopefully the penny has dropped with senior management that we are all in this together and that effective regular consultation will assist PSA members in maintaining NSW Transport Services.
Pool cars TfNSW has advised that sanitisation stations have been established for pool cars and members picking up keys will be issued with sanitisation packs and issued instructions on vehicle use during the pandemic.
Field work A number of Operational members have raised the issue of essential work during the pandemic. This work often results in staff working away from headquarters or home. The PSA has requested advice as to what is essential and what work can be deferred until the pandemic has been downgraded or resolved. With the Government ordering citizens to not travel unless essential or authorised, the PSA wants this clarified as regional and remote communities have been pushing back when non-locals visit their town. If you are unsure, raise the issue with your manager or contact the PSA.
Working from home TFNSW has advised there has been a tenfold increase in staff working from home to more than 10,000 individuals. Priority has also been given to vulnerable workers to either work from home or other work locations. If this is not possible other leave arrangements are being offered by TfNSW. Any members seeking further advice should speak with their manager or contact the PSA.
Evolving Transport Members would be aware the design phase of this restructure process commenced in February 2020 following extensive team and staff consultations. TfNSW at the 27 March COVID-19 briefing advised Transport unions that the process is now on hold due to the pandemic. This decision follows unions requesting the process be deferred due to uncertainty around ongoing workplace activity and community health concerns. Senior management will now review the Stage 1 analysis and mapping process and arrange a meeting with unions to discuss this review and when the process may recommence. PSA members will be aware of a recent PSA member survey on the Evolving Transport consultation between TfNSW management and members. This feedback is being collated and will be subject to a separate bulletin to members.
Future Workplaces initiative Members will have been advised that the Future Workplaces initiative, where many staff will be relocaed to other worksites in the Sydney Metro area, has also been placed on hold due to the pandemic. The first of the relocations was for staff moving to Macquarie Park. TfNSW will advise unions and members of the restart date for the workplace relocations prior to the restart date.
Sydney Metro On 26 March the PSA and other union representatives were briefed by Sydney Metro management of measures put in place to protect staff in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sydney Metro reported that more than 70 per cent of staff were being accommodated with Flexible Working arrangements (from home). Other measures, such as social distancing at work, video conferencing, and hand-sanitising stations, have been implemented in workplaces.
Ongoing consultation across the Transport for NSW cluster agencies Unions and management will continue to operate Consultative Committees via video and other conferencing technologies.
If PSA members have any urgent issues or concerns which have not been able to be resolved through TfNSW established contact lines or local management, please contact the PSA Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679 or .
Ombudsman: Provisions for working during the pandemic
In March 2020, the PSA helped negotiate special provisions for all NSW Public Servants during the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in the Premier’s Circular, titled C2020-01 Employment Arrangements during COVID-19.
The PSA reminds members of their entitlements during the pandemic:
The general hierarchy is that staff should be able to work flexibly, which includes working from home or an alternate location where available.
When an employee is not sick, but is directed not to attend due to isolation requirements, agencies should identify options for employees to work from home during the quarantine period. Where work is unable to be provided, you are entitled to up to 20 days paid special leave.
You are entitled to up to 20 days’ special leave, before other leave entitlements need to be accessed, if you are:
Caring for sick family members;
Caring for members due to closure of schools and caring facilities; or
Unable to attend work due to transport disruptions
If the workplace is closed, working from home or another location should be considered. If that is unable to be provided, you are to be paid as normal and placed on special leave.
If you are sick – stay at home and apply for sick leave as usual. If you exhaust sick leave, Agency heads may grant special sick leave on a case by case basis.
If there is no work available, at the office or at home, Ombudsman members who are not provided work should not be compelled to take personal leave. As per the Premier’s Circular, Ombudsman members who are not provided work should be placed on paid special leave indefinitely.
The PSA would prefer for work to be available, and encourages members and management to work constructively to ensure they can work remotely. However, Ombudsman employees should not be disadvantaged if there is no work provided.
If you have any concerns, please contact your Delegates Matthew Bright, Mary Gallagher, Andrew Harding or Chris Rodd. Alternatively, please email PSA Organiser .
The PSA is writing with regards to Electorate Officers accessing special leave entitlements.
The PSA has been in contact with management recently regarding communications sent out on Tuesday 31 March. The PSA sought clarification regarding the leave Electorate Officers should access when there is no work available. Management’s response was that Electorate Officers should avail themselves to the 20 days’ special pandemic leave if required. Once special leave has been exhausted, and there is no work available, management would look at this on a case-by-case basis.
The PSA reminds members of their entitlements during the pandemic, which is contained within the Premiers Circular, titled C2020-01 Employment Arrangements during COVID-19:
The general hierarchy is that staff should be able to work flexibly, which includes working from home or an alternate location where available.
When an employee is not sick, but is directed not to attend due to isolation requirements, agencies should identify options for employees to work from home during the quarantine period. Where work is unable to be provided, you are entitled to up to 20 days’ paid special leave.
You are entitled to up to 20 days’ special leave, before other leave entitlements need to be accessed, if you are:
Caring for sick family members;
Caring for members due to closure of schools and caring facilities; or
Unable to attend work due to transport disruptions
If the workplace is closed, working from home or another location should be considered. If that is unable to be provided, you are to be paid as normal and placed on special leave.
If you are sick – stay at home and apply for sick leave as usual. If you exhaust sick leave, Agency heads may grant special sick leave on a case-by-case basis.
If there is no work available, at the office or at home, Electorate Office members who are not provided work should not be compelled to take personal leave. As per thePremier’s Circular, “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”.
There is no 20-day limit in this circumstance.
The PSA would prefer for work to be available, but Electorate Officers should not be disadvantaged if there is none.
For further questions or concerns regarding accessing special leave, please contact your PSA Delegates Tom Harris-Brassil () and Tilly South, () or your PSA Organiser Davis Murphy (dmurphy@psa.asn.au). Your communication will be kept private and confidential.
NSW Trustee and Guardian Strategy & Governance Restructure: redundancies on hold until further notice
Thank you to all the members who sent further feedback following our last bulletin on 30 March 2020.
Since then, the PSA has been in contact with the Director of Strategy & Governance who has advised that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency will not declare any Strategy & Governance employees excess until further notice.
This is a change to the initial plan where notice of redundancies would not have been due to start for three months. However, NSWTG will continue with the process of implementing the new structure in the meantime.
Your PSA staff
Monika Wunderlin Industrial Officer
Glenn Duncan Organiser
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Ask a work colleague join the PSA today
Make the union strong by forwarding this bulletin to your colleagues
Australia’s public universities are likely to miss out on critical federal funding after the Morrison Government refused to extend the sector access to its $130 billion Job Keeper package.
The decision is a blow for the higher education sector, which is now Australia’s third largest export industry.
The CPSU NSW has previously written to Treasurer, Josh Frydenburg, calling for urgent federal intervention to save jobs and cushion the sector as it weathers the COVID-19 health crisis. Click HERE for a copy of our letter.
CPSU NSW Assistant Branch Secretary, Troy Wright, said “this is devastating news for our universities and unbelievably short-sighted public policy.
“In the face of globalisation, our public universities have been one of the great economic success stories of the past two decades.
“Australian universities have established a strong international reputation as providers of quality higher education, and that simply doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years to build,” Troy said.
The impact of the Federal Government’s decision will likely result in thousands of additional job losses across the country as universities downsize and cut costs, and a significant reduction in the size and capacity of our domestic higher education industry as it seek to rebuild and compete in the post pandemic global economy.
The CPSU NSW has been in contact with universities and peak industries groups in an effort to avert job losses and will continue to lobby state and federal governments for financial assistance for the sector.
