This is a difficult time for all members and it is falling on staff, particularly Professional Staff, to carry the brunt of keeping the university campuses open and operating for students.
The CPSU NSW has been pressuring the university to instigate proper consultation with the CPSU NSW about the ongoing pandemic and the university’s response. Unfortunately, we even had to speak to the media to pressure the university to listen to staff concerns. Footage can be viewed HERE. We will always be the voice for Professional Staff at SCU.
Thankfully, the university has listened and will now be convening weekly meetings of the Joint Consultative Forum. This is a forum that includes both management and union representation where we can raise issues on your behalf.
If you have any questions or concerns about your working conditions or your health and safety during the pandemic, please let your delegate know.
You also always have access to the CPSU Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679 or (02) 9220 0900.
Some initial issues we will be raising include:
An ongoing commitment to keep casuals employed and paid
Access to special leave for those required to isolate or quarantine themselves
Ongoing pay for staff in the event of a shutdown
The standard of cleaning in potentially infected areas
The health and safety processes in public-facing areas such as the library and student services.
Join the CPSU NSW
Now is the time to get colleagues involved in the union. Please ask them to join HERE so their voice can be heard, too.
CPSU NSW contacts
Your Delegates Toni Ledgerwood:
Shelley Odewahn:
Luke Davis:
Marnya Flanagan:
Sharlene King:
Alex Parks:
Peter Corr:
Everything is moving very quickly at the moment, with staff and students at various campuses being diagnosed with COVID-19. Some universities – even those with no reported cases – have stopped face-to-face lectures for a period of time. Some have performed full or partial cleans, or cleans that are just inadequate. Below is a brief summary of what has occurred across the sector.
Southern Cross University
On Wednesday 11 March 2020 Gold Coast and Lismore campuses were shut down after a visiting staff member tested positive to COVID-19. Forty-seven staff and students who had close contact with this person were quarantined, but none tested positive. SCU agreed to pay all staff, including casuals, their rostered hours if scheduled to work that day.
However, when staff returned to work the following day they found a forensic clean had not been performed. Toilets had not been cleaned and some desks not wiped down. The CPSU NSW wrote to the Vice Chancellor stating that the clean did not meet Department Health standards and that a forensic clean needed to be done. This did not occur.
SCU has agreed to convene weekly meetings of the Joint Consultative Forum. This is a forum that includes both management and union representatives where we can raise issues on your behalf.
University of NSW
The UNSW now has three cases. However, it has been reported that none of these people were on campus while infectious. UNSW did conduct deep cleans on 15 and 16 March and has tested people who worked around the positive cases. Staff also have access to up to two weeks’ special/isolation leave If they cannot work from home.
University of Sydney
On Sunday 15 March 2020 six locations at the University of Sydney were intensively cleaned after a student tested positive to COVID-19, with 80 students placed in quarantine
The university remained open. However, on 17 March 2020, the Vice Chancelllor announced that from 23 March 2020 all face-to-face teaching would be suspended and classes were to go online. The university is encouraging as many staff as possible to work from home. The provisions your union has successfully negotiated so far include:
10 days’ special COVID-19 leave available to all staff including casuals for self-isolation, illness or campus closure.
If you are required to self-isolate and continue to work from home (with prior approval), you can claim reimbursement for use of personal internet data and personal mobile phone.
More intensive deep cleaning on common workspaces and hand sanitiser in common areas.
Social distancing to be implemented across the university.
UTS
On 16 March 2020 UTS announced it is implementing a number of social distance initiatives, including pausing all coursework teaching commencing from 17 March 2020 for one week. At the time of the announcement, there had been no cases of COVID-19. However, on 17 March 2020, UTS announced that a student had tested positive to the virus, and that a clean had occurred in accordance with NSW Health standards.
Macquarie University
On 17 March 2020 Macquarie University announced a student had tested positive. Locations on campus have been intensively cleaned overnight. NSW Health has been involved, and advises that with the cleaning and social distancing measures, the rest of campus is safe to operate as normal. However, face-to-face coursework is suspended for 10 days until 30 March. This notice also outlines that consistent with social isolation, staff are to work from home, or if they cannot some sections may roster half staff on/half off. If that cannot work, staff can go on leave.
Western Sydney University
Western Sydney University announced on 16 March 2020 how it will move to remote delivery.
Australian Catholic University
There has been one reported case of COVID-19 at the Strathfield campus. ACU is increasingly moving its classes online, with a COVID-19 factsheet released to all staff on 19 March advising of this. If staff are required to self-isolate and their work cannot be done from home, they will need to take Personal Sick Leave until cleared to return to work. If staff are required to self-isolate, are not unwell and are required to work from home they will be paid as normal.
NSW Health Factsheet: Advice for Universities
Primarily this factsheet advises the following steps universities should take to help slow the spread of COVID-19:
encourage staff who can work effectively from home to do so
hold as many university business meetings as possible by video link or other remote means
cancel as many non-essential events as feasible
encourage students to access videoed lectures remotely and participate in as many other classes as possible by video link or other remote means.
Share this with your colleagues and encourage them to join too – the stronger the union, the more we win!
Contact the CPSU NSW
If you have any questions or concerns about your flex-time rights, please reach out to your CPSU NSW delegate, or the CPSU NSW Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679.
University of Sydney
Ivan Coates
University of NSW
Alister Wareing
Kate Brown
University of Technology, Sydney
Rosa Bow
Mark Christopher
Western Sydney University
Scott Pendlebury
Michael Reolon
University of Newcastle Lyn Keily
Sue Freeman
University of Wollongong
Vicki Dodd
Southern Cross University
Shelley Odewahn
Marnya Flanagan
The CEO has advised the PSA that NSWTG is providing regular communications to staff. It is working on flexible working arrangements, including a major effort in regard to “soft phones”, so Parramatta Service Centre staff can be split between home, Parramatta and the city. However, there are some tasks which cannot be done from home just yet. As such, the preference might be to look at splitting teams between sites so should someone get sick, part of the team has lower risk of exposure. This continues to develop as NSWTG has some significant issues with systems and manual processes to resolve first.
The CEO has been advised by the PSA that hand sanitiser and other supplies are running out. He has advised that more has been ordered, but there are difficulties due to high demand.
He has also approved variations to cleaning contracts to increase the amount of cleaning done at sites. He has asked Justice to do the same at PJP as NSWTG is not responsible for the contract.
Directors and managers are working on plans for each part of the agency as the needs and arrangements will vary. These plans will be confirmed over the next 48 hours.
The Executive is meeting at least daily to discuss the progressive advice from authorities and feedback from staff. NSWTG is managing individual staff situations and concerns in accordance with directions from the NSW Health. A pandemic response planning group has been established which is leading the work on how NSWTG respond both for members and clients. NSWTG is actively engaging with the Cluster and, where NSWTG doesn’t get answers quickly enough, directly with NSW Health.
What can you do?
Ask a work colleague join the PSA today
Make the union strong by forwarding this bulletin to your colleagues
Like our members who were first and second responders to the bushfire crisis, it is again PSA members who will be relied upon in the coming days to deliver critical and essential services to the community.
The PSA stands shoulder to shoulder with members to support you through these unprecedented times. Watch a video presentation on the crisis from Industrial Manager Kris Cruden HERE.
Meeting with DoE on COVID-19
Unlike other departments, the Department of Education had not offered briefings to unions. After the PSA demanded a briefing, we were updated on what measures the Department is putting in place to protect staff during this unprecedented time. We have now received an assurance these updates will continue.
The PSA raised a number of serious concerns around staff safety, including what protective equipment has been provided and what protocols have been put in place in each school.
The Department has advised the following:
They are following the advice of the Health Department and all staff and students have been encouraged to maintain good hygiene
Additional supplies of hand sanitiser and soap can be acquired from other suppliers, given that the usual suppliers may be out of stock. There should be a stock at each school
There has been additional government funding for school cleaning. The Department is looking at how to allocate the money, but it will be done quickly
Emails will go out to both the Principals and the school admin staff to ensure information can be shared quickly with all classifications. We encourage all Admin Managers to ensure the information provided by the Department is sent to all non-teaching staff.
The PSA strongly impressed upon the Department that it must ramp up its efforts to protect staff immediately. The PSA put forward that:
The DoE should produce a fact sheet on interaction with the public and colleagues
Clear instructions with regards to social distancing and hygiene should be displayed in all schools
Provision of standardised messaging for staff to use when contacted by parents.
Your safety
The Principal is responsible for the safety for all staff and students on site. If you have concerns for your health and safety, please raise them with your Principal.
If your concerns are not addressed, please lodge an incident with the WHS line. Contact the PSA if no action is taken.
Working in the event of a closedown
As events unfold, DoE will consider all options and wherever possible if schools close, it is likely that teachers, admin staff and General Assistants and Farm Assistants will continue to work from the school. There are a number of classifications where this is difficult and the PSA will have further discussions in the event that this occurs.
Temporary staff are also protected
The PSA also raised concerns with how a shutdown or lockdown would be handled, especially with regards to temporary employees. The Department confirmed all current contracts will be honoured throughout the crisis, including both short-term and long-term temporary.
School Psychologists
The same arrangements apply for working from home and providing services to students remotely.
Ongoing briefings
The PSA insisted on ongoing regular briefings. The Department has acknowledged it needs to improve with regards to communication and committed to regular briefings and updates.
If you are a member with an individual issue you can contact the PSA on 1800 772 679 for advice and support.
Do you know someone who is not a member? Or do you have any new starters at your school? 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.
The PSA met with the Executive Director Paul O’Reilly on Tuesday 17 March 2020 in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Members would be aware that daily the situation with COVID-19 is evolving and changing rapidly.
CSNSW now has a Command Hub to manage all issues centres and court locations have in regards to COVID-19. YJ is a party to this.
The Department has representatives attend the Command Hub on a regular basis to get the best possible outcomes and answers to issues as they arise. At present, some information that we have received is:
Centre, Community Office & Corporate issues
If there is a concern in your location do not immediately put in a call to the PSA.
The process prior to dealing with issues is as follows:
Speak to your local managers
If it cannot be resolved locally, then forward the issue to the PSA
The PSA will through the appropriate channels will put the issue to the Command Hub.
Hygiene
It is essential individuals maintain a high level of self-hygiene, such as washing hands regularly, as stated by health protocols. Wash down benches and surfaces on an increased level. Get detainees to increase their personal hygiene and unit cleanliness.
Every location should have a Pandemic Plan and have clear direction on what is to happen in the case of a positive result for a detainee/s or officer/s.
If this has not happened, please let us know.
Staff need to be encouraged to read these plans.
When communicating on this matter we need to remember to remain calm, if you are not high-risk or live with someone who is high-risk, getting the virus is minimal.
The concern worldwide is for the vulnerable and high-risk.
We understand that lack of information can cause anxiety and the feeling out in the community with the lack of cleaning products, toiletries, food and panic does not help. We are attempting to get the information and assist with communication through bulletins PSA and YJ, FAQs on the intranet, updated contingency plans as things change, and each centre location should be briefed daily on any events that may have happened the day/night before.
Self-isolation
If you are feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms you are to stay home. Seek advice from your doctor. If you cannot get into your doctor you can ring an assistance number; Health Direct 1800 022 222.
When we met with Department Communities and Justice they stated staff can call that number, get triaged, advice and can a certificate.
We know that many members have concerns about taking leave then being cautioned or not getting permanency or increments.
These are exceptional circumstances and the health advice is if you have flu-like symptoms stay home until cleared by a medical professional.
PSA will support members if they find themselves in a situation later that they do not get permanency or an increment based on the leave they have taken during this time. Make sure you have a certificate and that you seek advice from a medical professional.
PSA MEETS WITH POLICE MANAGEMENT RE COVID-19 MEASURES
Representatives of the PSA today held a telephone conference with AC HR Leanne McCuscker and staff from Workforce Relations.
The PSA requested information regarding Police management’s response to the following issues:
Reducing public contact and ensuring safety when public contact required
Use of phone and AV for meetings
Cleaning of offices and equipment
Protective equipment (masks etc)
Supply of sanitary items (sanitizer, wipes and tissues)
Working from home
Staffing responses when high number of staff are sick or in precautionary isolation
Dealing with staff who have cold and flu symptoms
Working alongside contractors who do not have sick leave because casual
AC McCusker assured the Union that Police management has structures to deal with the crisis, including the setting up of a Police Operations Centre on a standing basis. Management is monitoring staff absences and P902 submissions and is well-positioned to react to emerging staff shortages. All Commands have been required to plan for contingencies by updating their Business Continuity Plans. Commands are required to identify essential and non-essential services to allow rapid response to developments.
Properties Branch is implementing enhanced cleaning in “common touch” areas, such as VKG.
As far as management is aware, there is no current shortage of sanitary items. Supplies of sanitary items and protective equipment will be coordinated through the POC to best ensure continued supply.
Corporate Services is ensuring strong communication by sending our regular information updates to commanders and staff.
DTI is working on hardware and software solutions to enable working from home. Data security issues and limitations on the availability of laptops, as well as the need to maintain service delivery to the public are limitations on the ability to work from home.
Most contractors work in the IT area and it is expected WFH arrangements will be easier to implement as connected lap-tops are already in use. Contractors are being required to comply with social distancing policies.
Police has agreed to hold weekly meetings between the PSA and representatives of Corporate HR to brief the PSA and discuss concerns raised by members.
Members with concerns regarding safety, rosters, working from home, or any other issues are encouraged to contact their delegates or the PSA Member Support Centre.
Please encourage colleagues who are not yet members of the PSA to join now. In times of crisis, it is more important than ever for public sector workers to be union members.
As you are all aware, COVID-19 is an evolving issue.
Amanda Cotter has been in the Command Post. Due to the high number of direct emails she is receiving, she is finding her workload is insurmountable and taking her away from tasks she needs to perform there.
A bulletin went out yesterday with a detailed process on how to deal with COVID-19 issues in your centre/location.
The process is as follows:
Delegates or staff raise the concern in the first instance with local management.
Get the issue placed on the Issues Register
If it cannot be dealt with locally, the issue gets sent to the Command Post
The Command Post will then come to a decision. The decision can be placed in the contingency plans and on the Issues Register.
If the membership is unhappy with the outcome, then raise it with one of the POVB Executive and we will deal with it with the Directors or Assistant Commissioners.
You can liaise with Jason Charlton and myself and we can tell you if the issue has been resolved previously at another centre and how it has been resolved.
Please stop sending emails directly to Amanda Cotter and have the issue dealt with first by local management or contact Jason and myself and we will tell if you the issue has been dealt with previously and how.
The COVID-19 outbreak has many members confused, worried and anxious at work. The PSA CPSU NSW Member Support Centre (MSC) is the first port of call for many members looking for information on workplace matters in times of uncertainty.
For the next two weeks, the MSC will be open seven days to take your calls and emails.
On Monday to Friday, we will be open 8:00am to 5:30pm. These opening times are an hour earlier and half an hour later than usual. These hours will commence Monday 23 March.
If you cannot call on weekdays, we have staff available 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. This arrangement commences tomorrow.
In two weeks, these extended hours will be reviewed.
These extended hours are only for MSC inquiries and not for Membership or other calls.
To contact the MSC, please call 1800 772 679 or (02) 9220 0900, or email.
ClickHEREto see a video message from General Secretary Stewart Little on how your union is dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.
The PSA met, via teleconference, with the Sheriff, Ms Tracey Hall, on 19 March in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members would be aware the situation with COVID-19 is evolving and changing rapidly.
We discussed issues that members from the Sheriff’s Officers Vocational Branch Advisory Group had sent to us on behalf of our members and Ms Hall’s response were:
In relation to Personal Protection Equipment (PPE): we were advised the Sheriff is going through Police orders for PPEs. She has ordered 16,500 face masks and other PPEs. During these challenging times, all departments are struggling to fill their orders.
At the security scanning area NSW Health Guidelines are being followed. Close contact with an individual is defined as 15 minutes. No officer would be in direct contact with an individual for 15 minutes, so we are therefore within NSW Health Guideline parameters.
With regards to what are Police doing in practical terms in providing PPEs to their officers, she was not able to speak to that, but again is using their facility to order PPEs for her staff.
Field Work – all evictions staff must keep a 1.5-metre distance rule when on a property. Staff are to call ahead. There is a checklist for staff to use. Staff are not to touch property but to make a paper seizure notification and determine if the property is vacant. There is a delay and will be a continuing delay on mortgagee evictions.
There is a checklist and notice on all court doors advising not to enter if a person has COVID-19. This again follows NSW Health Guidelines. There is no legislative policy for Sheriffs to direct people out of the building. However, no officer will be punished if they direct people not to attend court because they present unwell or if they harass or intimidate staff. They have also asked Legal to develop a script for staff to use when asking/directing people to leave if they appear unwell.
The Sheriff’s Executive meets each morning in regards to COVID-19. It has agreed to keep the PSA informed of any changes/updates so there is clear and consistent communication to our members. The PSA and NSW Sheriffs will be meeting on a regular basis.
Hygiene
It is essential individuals maintain a high level of self-hygiene, washing hands regularly as stated by health protocols. Wash down benches and surfaces at an increased level. Get detainees to increase their personal hygiene and unit cleanliness.
When communicating on this matter we need to remember to remain calm. If you are not high-risk or live with someone who is high-risk, getting the virus presents minimal problems.
