Red Tape April-June 2020
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TAFE Library Closure PM directive (pdf version)
In accordance with the Prime Minister’s directive library facilities are now closed and face to face library services have been suspended until further notice.
Library teams will continue to support students and teachers in the online environment.
This decision has been made in the interests of the health and safety of library staff and customers.
Thank you for your understanding.
CPSU NSW WINS LIBRARY CLOSURES – March 2020
Firstly, yesterday we witnessed a great show of collective strength and solidarity by members in libraries across the state. We stood together, supported each other and maintained libraries needed to be kept closed to students for your own health and safety and that of the people you serve. You won a just cause, well done!
In response to the CPSU NSW letter HERE to TAFE Managing Director Steffen Faurby, Wednesday afternoon, both parties held a Skype conference on Thursday 2pm.
For the CPSU NSW this dispute has, in principle, always been about the health and safety of TAFENSW staff at work. The union pressed the point to the TAFE Executive that it is an unacceptable WHS risk for TAFENSW to keep libraries open to students. In doing so TAFE is increasing exposure of COVID 19 not only staff but the wider TAFE community.
Further to keep libraries open to students is contrary to the Federal Government’s direction that all libraries are to be shut from midnight 26 March.
The outcome of the meeting between your union and TAFE Management was that TAFE was forced to concede that libraries needed to remain physically closed until further notice.
It’s amazing how much effort can go into getting employers to apply common sense (and the law)!
The negotiated outcome was that the library closures would remain and thereafter library teams will continue to support students and teachers in the online environment. To this end, a working group is being set up between TAFE, library managers and the union, to work through how to maintain service delivery to students remotely.
You may have already seen a communication to library staff this morning from General Manager of Student Services, Hugh Greenough, on this.
This is what the union can achieve when we stand together.
Join your union! https://psa.asn.au/join
Members – please consider forwarding this bulletin to non-member colleagues, placing it in notice boards and distributing in your workplace.
Your CPSU NSW delegates
South Region
West Region
North Region
Sydney Region
Dawn Davis – Ultimo
Western Sydney Region
Isabella Ramirra – Strathfield
TAFE Digital
In these times of emergency and disruption, DPIE has provided the PSA with a proposal to suspend core time and bandwidth in current DPIE Flexible Working Hours Agreements. This suspension would be on a voluntary basis with an agreement in writing between an employee and their manager.
The PSA has entertained several discussions with DPIE management to better understand how it intends to operate as a potential shutdown takes place and into the foreseeable future.
With the fast paced levels of changing information, the PSA was initially hesitant to readily agree with DPIE until it fully understood and received commitments on the provisions.
The temporary suspension of bandwidth and core time will provide staff with greater levels of flexibility when and how they work their contract of employment hours especially if:
If the workplace is closed, and working from home or alterative work locations are not available, you are to be paid as normal and placed on special leave, as per the Premiers Circular C2020-01 Employment Arrangements during COVID-19 (you can view that Circular HERE).
If you have any enquiries after speaking to your Manager about the suspension of bandwidth and core time, you can contact the Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679.
The PSA urges members in NPWS to follow all safety precautions to minimise the impact of COVID-19.
Member safety at work is of paramount importance. Each area of NPWS should have a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) that is reviewed daily. Every member should be being consulted on safety on a daily basis and provided with the tools, equipment and procedures to ensure a safe work environment is being provided by your employer.
If you are not being provided with consultation, safety equipment and clear direction on how to remain safe in the workplace at this time, speak to your direct supervisor. If the issue is not resolved, contact the PSA.
Members should be using flexible working arrangements to achieve social distancing at work, in consultation with their supervisor and team. Every member who is in a position that is suitable for working from home should submit an application to their supervisor to allow working from home.
While NPWS continues to operate, it is not necessary for everyone to be at work at the same time. Each area should be implementing flexible work arrangements, using working from home, undertaking work in the field, rostering or staggered start and finish times to maximise social distancing and minimise exposure to other staff.
The PSA encourages all members who can to either work from home or work in the field to do so, so that social distancing can be met.
All visitor centres and high-use visitor sites should have had a risk assessment undertaken and if staff safety through social distancing cannot be achieved, then the site should be closed.
If you are aware of visitor centres or high-visitation sites that have not been assessed and feel that they provide an unsafe work environment, raise this with your manager and if the issue is not resolved, contact the PSA.
The PSA urges all members to not put themselves in an unsafe situation. If you see large numbers of people gathering in a park, or other situations or tasks that may expose you to the risk of contracting COVID-19, withdraw from the situation and contact your supervisor.
The PSA has written to NPWS Management, to consider as a matter of urgency the closure of all national parks in NSW for the protection of our members. The PSA has been inundated with calls from concerned NPWS members about the large number of visitors to national parks to escape the coronavirus.
The PSA has also written to NPWS advising casual staff who work in NPWS undertaking roles in visitor service functions or work in visitor centres be allocated other duties during those closures.
The PSA is pleased to see that Service NSW will be putting in place further restrictions to Driver Testing to come into effect from Friday 27 March 2020. The PSA reinforces our earlier message to Driver Testers in that if you have concerns for your current safety in performing your duties as a Driver Tester you should raise these with your Manager as per section 84 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 – right to cease unsafe work.
It is the PSA’s expectation that suitable alternative duties should be found for you. Any member having difficulties in exercising their rights are under the WHS Act are to seek further assistance from the PSA.
The NSW Government has deemed Service NSW an essential service. While it is positive that the Government has recognised your services as essential in the middle of a global pandemic, it is vital that your safety and minimising your risk of infection is at the forefront of every decision made as to how you deliver those services. It is expected that all centres will be putting in place all necessary measures so that physical distancing and good hygiene are practised.
Service NSW has been proactive in identifying staff who are ‘high-risk’ and has made arrangements for those staff to work from home. Any member who is concerned that they may be at a higher risk and have not been identified should speak to their supervisor.
The SNSW JCC will be taking place on Thursday 26 March 2020 via a Skype meeting and there will be a further update to members following that meeting tomorrow.
The PSA, along with local delegates, attended the regular Restructure/Realignment Joint Consultative Committee (RJCC) on 24 March 2020.
In response to the current COVID-19 situation the Department has informed the PSA that it is placing a ‘go slow’ on all current Restructure Management Plans (RMPs), specifically this means that any RMP that was to declare staff excess will not for the moment proceed. The PSA has been calling for the halt of restructures across all Departments and is pleased the Department of Customer Service has implemented this sensible “go slow”.
Realignments will continue to progress where they can but it is also expected that delays will occur due to the current circumstances.
They have also said that further information in relation to the go slow and RMPs will be coming in the next few days.
Those staff who have already been declared excess and are being managed as per the Managing Excess Employees Policy will continue to do so. If you have concerns about where you stand in relation to this, please wait until the information is released by the Department in the next couple of days and then contact your union for further advice if required.
In relation to the Customer Engagement Integration, the PSA has notified the Department of a dispute and was to have a meeting which has been deferred due to the need to address COVID-19. Your union expects to resume discussions with the Department shortly, but for the moment as this is a major RMP will expect that progress will be significantly delayed.
The next RJCC is scheduled for Thursday 2 April 2020, at the moment the PSA is conducting all meetings with the Department via skype/teleconference.
Many members across DCS are currently working from home without issue. There has been instances however of mixed messaging when it comes to your entitlements regarding work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please ensure you are familiar with the provisions in the Premiers Circular C2020-01 employment Arrangements during COVID-19 HERE
In this rapidly changing situation of possible shutdowns and school closures, it is important to keep in mind the following extract:
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 employees, they are to be paid as normal and are placed on paid special leave.
Up to 20 days’ paid special leave will be provided, before other leave entitlements need to be accessed, to employees who are unable to work because they are:
After the 20 days of special leave has been used, employees may access accrued leave entitlements (i.e. sick leave, annual leave, family and community services and extended/long service leave)
The PSA understands that the rapid acceleration of working from home has created some difficulties in ensuring staff have the tools to accommodate that.
Lithgow Revenue NSW PSA delegates have been working closely with Management to bring forward the rollout of laptops across Lithgow, moving 26 laptops from Gosford to Lithgow quicker than originally planned.
Kudos to local staff for going above and beyond at short notice to help make the deployments happen ASAP!
This is very important in light of COVID-19, ensuring that Revenue NSW in Lithgow continues working for the People of NSW
Not a member? Join online at https://www.psa.asn.au/join
Coronavirus risk – Union demands the closure of TAFE libraries across the state (pdf version)
This morning CPSU NSW staff and delegates met with TAFENSW to discuss its contingency plans for reducing the risk of exposing staff and students to the Coronavirus. We strongly pressed the point that continued operation of the libraries places our members, staff and students at risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19.
We remain deeply concerned at this time that TAFE has made a decision to keep libraries open.
We have written urgently to Managing Director Steffen Faurby, earlier today, seeking his clarification that TAFENSW will be following the directive of the Prime Minister to close all libraries by midnight tonight 25 March 2020 HERE
The Prime Minister last night ordered the closure of libraries Australia wide. For members’ reference see https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-24/scott-morrison-announces-new-measures-to-slow-coronavirus-spread/12086206
The CPSU NSW has also made a statement in this morning’s Sydney Morning Herald article, here https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/tafe-courses-suspended-from-monday-but-nursing-and-aged-care-to-continue-20200325-p54dn3.html
There is plenty of meaningful work for library staff to continue to undertake including options for staff to work from home.
We expect the Managing Director to reply by COB today on whether he shares our concerns that keeping libraries open exposes our members and students to the aforementioned risks, and whether TAFE will comply with Federal Government directives.
Join your union! https://psa.asn.au/join
Members – please consider forwarding this bulletin to non-member colleagues, placing it in notice boards and distributing in your workplace.
Your CPSU NSW delegates
South Region
West Region
North Region
Sydney Region
Dawn Davis – Ultimo
Western Sydney Region
Isabella Ramirra – Strathfield
TAFE Digital
Like our members who were first and second responders to the bush fire crisis, it is again PSA members who will be relied upon in the coming days, weeks and months to deliver critical and essential services to the community.
The PSA stands shoulder to shoulder with members to support you through these unprecedented times.
Important PSA bulletins to Read on Covid-19
The PSA has received a number of urgent briefings from The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) on what measures they are putting in place to protect staff during this unprecedented time.
At each briefing the PSA raised a number of serious concerns around staff safety including what personal protective equipment (PPE) has been provided and what protocols have been put in place in each workplace.
The Department has advised the following:
Additional FAQ documents are being prepared by DCJ for staff and will be available shortly on both the intranet and internet.
You can access information for DCJ staff HERE.
Your employer is responsible for the safety for all staff. If you have concerns for your health and safety, such as unsafe work practices, absence of PPE, please raise them with your supervisor, manager or team leader. The Department stated that they are currently having trouble in securing hand sanitiser and some PPE.
If the concerns are not addressed, please lodge an incident report through SAP immediately and contact the PSA if no prompt action is taken to address your concerns.
Member Support Centre 1800 772 679
Some workers are at higher risk due to age, current medical treatment of existing medical conditions.
If you believe you fall into this category of worker, you should email your line manager requesting modified duties in order to avoid or minimise client contact and / or work from home.
The PSA also raised concerns with how a shutdown or lockdown would be handled, especially with regards to temporary and casual employees. The Department confirmed that all current contracts will be honoured throughout the crisis.
There are no plans to cease the employment of casuals, for example Contact workers in Community Services, their work will continue although within the current restrictions and remotely where possible.
Casuals will be given access to the 20 days’ special leave in the same way as all ongoing and temporary employees.
The PSA will report on further negotiations with regards to casuals and temporary staff as soon as there are any developments.
Many field workers have administrative work, such as writing assessments, court documents, care plans, which can be undertaken from home. Managers need to accommodate a flexible model of working – a mix of office based and home based. Working from home does not necessarily mean five days a week or even full days.
Minimising workers’ presence in the workplace where possible and requested should be the goal. As the NSW Premier said, “If you have the capacity to work from home, you should do so.”
Amid the uncertain times of COVID-19, the PSA is here to support you in your workplace. The Association met with Peter Riordan on 18 March and again on 23 March 2020 to ensure best practice workplace measures are being implemented by the department in response to COVID-19, in accordance with current health advice.
The discussions have been fruitful and resulted in the following:
To clarify your entitlements and what leave you can access, the PSA points members to the Provisions of Department of Premiere and Cabinet Circular 2020-01 Employment Arrangements During Covid-19 Circular (C2020-1).
In addition, members with an underlying medical condition who may be at higher risk from Covid-19 (based on the NSW Health Guidance HERE) should raise their health concerns with their Principal or Manager.
In the meantime, if you are concerned about your safety at work you should advise your workplace manager, and ask them to act to protect you. If no action is taken please lodge an incident with the WHS hotline on 1800 811 523.
You should continue to lodge incidents each day the issue arises or each time it occurs.
In the event that urgent and appropriate action is not taken to protect members, the PSA will support members. Phone the PSA on 1800 772 679 for this advice.
You can assist the work of the PSA and delegates so we can get better outcomes for everyone just by asking your colleagues to JOIN.
Contact the PSA to arrange a union meeting or visit to your workplace. Call the Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679 and let them know you’d like an Organiser visit.
Strict social distancing measures will be in place for all visits and meetings including, if necessary, teleconferencing or videoconferencing.
Katy Ambler Industrial Officer
The PSA writes in response to an email received 24 March 2020 from Mr Cameron Kerr, Executive Director and Chief Executive Director, Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoos, directing staff at both Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoos as follows:
“We are required to close to meet the new social distancing guidelines so, for the health and safety of our guests, staff and the broader community, and in support of efforts taking place across the country to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo will be temporarily closed from 5pm Wednesday 25 March 2020.”
In accordance with the Premier of New South Wales’ Circular for COVID-19 leave, the PSA would like to advise members of their entitlements as follows:
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 employees, they are to be paid as normal and are placed on paid special leave.
Up to 20 days paid special leave will be provided, before other leave entitlements need to be accessed, to employees who are unable to work because they are:
After the 20 days of special leave has been used, employees may access accrued leave entitlements (i.e. sick leave, annual leave, family and community services and extended/long service leave).
The PSA is concerned this announcement will effectively place a number of casual staff roles in jeopardy, and on that basis, the PSA urges management at Taronga Zoo to pay casual staff under the provisions of the COVID-19 leave entitlements. This would be in some cases amount to many years of dedicated service. Other public services that have been forced to close to the public, such as the Powerhouse Museum, have committed to pay their casuals rostered on as normal for the next week while they seek further advice from the Government. Others still such as the State Library have reaffirmed their commitment to their workforce by stating that all casuals will be continued to be employed and engaged with work throughout the COVID – 19 situation. The PSA is calling on Taronga Zoo to show the same commitment to their workforce, and continue the employment of casuals despite the closure.
If you if you require any assistance, please contact your PSA delegate or, alternatively, contact the PSA Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679. Not a member? Join the union that stands up for you at www.psa.asn.au/join.
Sydney
Claudia Bianch
Toby Johnson
Simon Faithfull
Like our members who were first and second responders to the bush fire crisis, it is again PSA members who will be relied upon in the coming days, weeks and months to deliver critical and essential services to the community.
The PSA stands shoulder to shoulder with members to support you through these unprecedented times.
12 March
COVID-19 and its effect on your workplace conditions
20 March
Member Support Centre Extends Hours for COVID-19
The PSA has been briefed via teleconference, on the management of COVID-19 and the workplace. As members would know, the Ministry has distributed messages from Tim Reardon and from Elizabeth Koff outlining the measures the State Government and the Ministry of Health are taking in response the COVID-19 virus.
The steps include increases in hygiene practices, cancelations and reviews of any travel and options for self-isolation if required. Preparations are underway in case the situation requires further steps. This includes preparing IT and remote access to enable staff to work from home or alternative workplaces.
We requested increased cleaning of public areas and areas such as lift buttons and door handles, sanitiser wipes in all pool vehicles, asking questions of incoming visitors to determine risk and a halt to any hot desk practices. The Ministry has taken our suggestions on board and are looking at ways to implement.
If your workplace is still hot-desking you should first raise this with your manager and, if no steps are taken to put in place protections, log a WHS incident immediately and contact the PSA on 1800 772 679.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has published a circular, C2020-01 Employment Arrangements during COVID-19, outlining arrangements for the NSW Government Sector in case employees not directly involved in the response but are unable to be work for specific reasons. The DPC has provided up to 20 days’ special leave.
Sub-JCC
New ways to work
The fit out is well underway for 1 Reserve Road with Level 1 almost complete, working their way up. The PSA will again be seeking to inspect the premises prior to staff moving in, the inspection was originally scheduled for April or May but we will seek further information on this given the current situation.
There will be workshops for managers about managing in an agile workplace and online modules for other staff. The administration support for the team will likely be located near the lockers as an anchor point. Employees will all have lockers near to where they will be working on their floor. The feedback to the Ministry from those who have inspected them is that the lockers are a good size.
The PSA raised that staff want reassurance that outside will be a non-smoking area/s and requested information on how this will be managed.
The scheduling for relocation isn’t finalised but the first move is pencilled in for June. So far the timeline is on track.
Next Sub JCC Meeting is on 8 April 2020
Managing Change/Restructuring Policy
This policy is currently under review and the PSA and NSWNMA have both provided feedback on the policy. The Ministry advised it will send a copy of the final draft policy and if required the PSA will seek a meeting for further discussions.
In the past two months there have been:
The Ministry confirmed that the Strategic Communications and Engagement Branch changes are currently with the Deputy Secretary for approval.
The initial information is there will be changes to reporting lines and the creation of two Executive Director positions (rather than one) in the Centre for Population Health and the Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch.
The PSA has requested a Change Management Plan if there are to be major changes or impacts on staff in these branches.
If you are affected by these changes you can raise your concerns with us through the Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679.
The Strengths Finder Assessment is open to all ministry employees and is optional. Participants receive a book, do an online assessment and receive a report. They then send that to the team and book a one-hour coaching session with the employee to work on growth areas and how best to work with their strengths.
Fifty per cent of branches have committed to the program and 25 per cent of staff have now gone through their individual coaching. This came about due to the Ministry’s People Matter survey results.
PSA asked about links with PDPs. The Ministry replied participants are encouraged to discuss their strengths and areas for growth with their manager but that it’s not a requirement.
MoH categorically stated that this will not be used as evidence in a Performance Improvement Plan. It also confirmed Managers are clear that this cannot be used.
PSA raised a concern that with the Ministry does not support employees working compressed hours as a part of their flexible working arrangements.
The Ministry agreed to look at this and identify if there is a clear position. However, they would prefer to explore other options rather than compressed hours. The PSA is concerned that there is a blanket ban on this and raised the ‘If not why not’ Premier’s Announcement/position.
The PSA’s position is that this is part of a suite of ways to provide flexibility and should not be excluded.
The PSA raised concerns with members moving between Ministry and HSSG and the differences with the conditions.
The Ministry states it will not provide a fact sheet as the awards are on the intranet. However, it will pass this feedback on to HSSG HR and see if it will turn its mind to how better to communicate the differences upon appointment.
The Crown Employees Award is on the Mintranet under ‘working at the ministry’.
PSA previously expressed concerns as a result of the changes to level 11 Executive Assistants.
It has been noted that several restructures have seen the removal of administrative roles from teams and the PSA requested clarity around the Ministry’s view on administrative roles. The Ministry stated in some cases restructures have recently created additional administration roles. The PSA will keep an eye on any future changes.