COVID-19 and Fisheries

As you are aware, the Coronavirus or Covid19 threat to the health and wellbeing of our society is at a critical stage with unprecedented measures being implemented and recommended across every part of Australia. These measures invariably involve ‘social distancing’ and/or locking down where possible.

Under normal circumstances, our role as Fisheries Officers involves a high volume of client and colleague contact that will, if continued, now put us at an elevated risk of either catching or spreading the Covid19 virus.

The FOVB/PSA has requested an urgent meeting with management to understand what measures they are putting in place in order to minimise the risk to our health and safety.

The FOVB/PSA will be suggesting that Fisheries Officers;

Avoid all unnecessary contact with both clients and colleagues.
Focus on duties that don’t involve client or colleague contact such as surveillance, admin, maintenance.
Not touch things handled by others unnecessarily such as licence cards, boats, vehicles.
If interactions or handling items are unavoidable ensure that eyes, face and hands are covered by good quality PPE.
Provision of sanitiser to clean hands and wipe down at risk surfaces.
Not undertake any duty that you feel is unsafe under the prevailing Covid19 threat.
Maintain a simple log of persons you interact with, indicating who and when.

In addition, we will call on Management to make clear what type of leave is available due to Covid19.

Any questions about these matters should be directed to any member of the FOVB Executive in the first instance. The FOVB Executive comprises Matthew Proctor, John Staines, Matthew Cartwright, Shaun Reynolds, Michael Northam, Jackie Corlass and Joseph Wright.

COVID-19: letter to TAFE NSW

Covid update – March 2020 (PDF version)

The CPSU NSW wrote to the TAFE NSW Managing Director on 17 March 2020 to begin a dialogue with the organisation on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The union sought to be consulted on what contingency plans are being developed to support staff effected by COVID-19. In particular, provisions relating to how staff, including casuals, will be paid if:

They are excluded from workplace/placed in quarantine
Who have caring responsibilities or who have transport disruptions
The workplace is closed
If they exhaust sick leave because of COVID 19

Please follow the link to our letter HERE.

NSW Health and Federal Department of Health Advice

In relation to health standards, the CPSU NSW sought confirmation that current NSW Health and Federal Department of Health protocols are being adhered to. They can be viewed HERE and HERE.

Join the CPSU NSW

Not a member? JOIN the CPSU NSW HERE.

Contact the CPSU NSW

Industrial Officer
Matt Drake-Brockman

Organisers
Shane Jobberns
Chris Bird

COVID-19 – Disability, Home Care, and Client Support Services

COVID-19 Update – March 2020 (PDF version)

Letter sent to ALL Disability Home Care and Client Support Service Providers in NSW

The COVID-19 epidemic presents an unprecedented challenge for business and government agencies in NSW, Australia and across the world. Your union has written to all Disability, Home Care, and Client Support Service providers seeking to be consulted on what contingency plans are being developed to support staff effected by COVID-19. In particular, provisions relating to how staff, including casuals, will be paid if:

They are excluded from workplace/placed in quarantine
Who have caring responsibilities or who have transport disruptions
The workplace is closed
If they exhaust sick leave because of COVID-19

NSW Health and Federal Department of Health Advice

In relation to health standards, the CPSU NSW has sought confirmation that current NSW Health and Federal Department of Health protocols are being adhered to. They can be viewed HERE and HERE.

NSW Health Guidelines for Aged Care Facilities

NSW Health has issued the following guidelines for aged-care facilities. The CPSU NSW recommends these Guidelines should apply as a bare minimum to residential facilities in Disability Home Care and Client Support Services. The Guidelines can be viewed HERE, and state the following:

Key factors to consider when adapting emergency plans for COVID-19

Procedures to follow if an outbreak is suspected, including a method for seeking medical assessment and diagnosis.
Protocols to rapidly implement enhanced infection control measures1.
Ensuring adequate and appropriate care is provided to the infected individual including isolation of the client.
Maintaining adequate supplies of surgical gloves, masks, gowns and hand sanitiser.

Rapid notification for staff, families, carers, and your local public health unit.

General advice to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 and other respiratory outbreaks (e.g. influenza)
Discourage symptomatic visitors, even if minimal symptoms, from attending while unwell through communications and signage, and consider designating a single entrance for families and visitors.
Exclude sick staff members.
Encourage regular handwashing for residents, staff and visitors and provide hand sanitisers where this can be done safely.
Facilities should not have organized groups of children attend the facility at this time.

Monitor symptoms within the facility (residents and staff) and arrange testing as appropriate.

Join the CPSU NSW

Not a member? JOIN the CPSU NSW HERE.

Contact the CPSU NSW

Industrial Officers
Jessica Moore
Sharny Chalmers

Organisers

Cora Sarmiento
Tony Hayes
Shane Elliott
Gino di Candilo

Corrective Services – Coronavirus pandemic

The PSA today conducted an emergency meeting with Corrective Services NSW to work through a number of critical issues arising out of the COVID-19 crisis.

This meeting was attended by Commissioner Peter Severin, as well as PSA General Secretary Stewart Little, Chair of the POVB Nicole Jess, PSA Manager of Justice Julie Bond and senior departmental officials.

A number of important issues have been discussed and ongoing discussions shall be happening on a daily basis.

Arising out of the meeting a Command Centre has been established comprised of representatives from all areas of Corrective Services who will meet on a daily basis, seven days per week, to establish a strategic plan and to overcome challenges as and when they arise throughout Corrective Services.

This Command Centre will include PSA representation. The PSA shall ensure that all areas of Corrective Services will be represented.

Suspension of non-legal visits

The Commissioner has agreed to a temporary suspension of non-legal visits at all centres across NSW whilst critical protocols are worked through. Parties agree the safety of Officers as well as their families is of paramount concern.

In order to alleviate issues from the current pandemic it is critical that protocols are developed consistent with the guidelines issued by the NSW Ministry of Health. A number of options have been looked at going forward including the use of audio visual and tablet technology as a means to limiting human interaction.

Representatives of the PSA shall continue to meet with the Department on an ongoing daily basis in order to establish protocols.

A further bulletin shall be issued shortly to deal with issues that were discussed in Courts and Transport and Community Corrections.

COVID-19 and Community Corrections

Today an emergency meeting was held with Corrective Services NSW management and PSA representatives from across the agency with respect to the impact of COVID-19 on your working environment.

Whilst the meeting was primarily in respect to and concentrated on the custodial setting, where an agreement has been made to suspend personal visits and replace them with other measures, there was some discussion about Community Corrections as well.

CSNSW has indicated it is considering a range of technological measures and flexible arrangements for your work. These will be advanced in the coming days.

It is also establishing a ‘command centre’ to monitor and track work-related transmissions of the disease.

Another meeting between CSNSW and the PSA will be held tomorrow, and should further information come to hand, it will be reported to you.

Whilst the PSA is concerned with the potential exposure to this virus at work of any of our membership, we also recognise the elevated risk that working with socio-economically marginalised communities such as former inmates carries.

To this end there are a number of things you can do at your workplace:

Practise good hand-washing hygiene at regular intervals during the day. Hand sanitiser is a secondary and less effective option but may be useful for out of office visits.
Encourage colleagues who are displaying any sign of illness to stay at home. Where they refuse, speak with your manager about directing them to do so.
Monitor the cleaning regime in your office to ensure that not only the usual items are completed but that surfaces including door handles and counters are regularly disinfected.
Limit your time in contact with clients and colleagues where recommended social distancing is not being maintained.

As ever, but particularly at these times, the PSA is here to support you when you have WHS issues. We can be contacted through the MSC on 1800 772 679 where you have concerns related to the any of the matters outlined above or through the delegates listed below.

The PSA has already negotiated with Premier’s Department what additional leave arrangements will be in place in the event of a partial or total shutdown of the public sector. Please see this bulletin with a link to the relevant circular HERE.

CPSU NSW RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Covid bulletin – March 2020 (PDF version)

Higher Education Representative Council

The Higher Education Representative Council (HERC) of the CPSU NSW met on Wednesday 11 March 2020. A range of industrial and WHS issues were discussed, including the impact that COVID-19. Accordingly, the following motions were carried:

MOTION 1 The Higher Education Representative Council of the CPSU NSW calls on the Prime Minister to step in and adequately provide additional funding to universities impacted by COVID-19.

It is imperative that the Federal Government urgently intervenes to provide adequate financial assistance to all universities, whose revenue has been affected because of COVID-19.

MOTION 2 The Higher Education Representative Council of the CPSU NSW requests that the CPSU NSW/PSA make contact with all NSW universities and request a meeting to confirm contingency plans in relation to potential impacts on members of campus closures as a result of COVID-19.

The clip HERE summarises the outcomes of the HERC meeting.

Letter to the The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP

A letter was written to the Treasurer criticising the Federal Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus that was released on 12 March, for not providing additional funding to university financially impacted by COVID 19. This is despite the fact that it was recognised that the education sector had been severely impacted. The CPSU NSW finds this omission to be extremely short-sighted, and seeks that the Federal Government urgently steps in to provide adequate additional funding to universities experiencing, or likely to experience significant losses in revenue because of COVID-19. The letter to Treasurer can be read HERE.

Southern Cross University

On Wednesday 11 March the Gold Coast and Lismore campuses of Southern Cross University shut down due to a staff member testing positive to COVID 19. The CPSU NSW was able to gain confirmation from the university that that all staff scheduled to work during this closure, including casuals, are to be paid for their rostered hours. Two Bulletins were sent to CPSU NSW employed at SCU and they can viewed HERE and HERE.

University of Sydney

The CPSU NSW has been in discussions with the University of Sydney as a result of it reporting a $200 million loss in revenue as result of travel restrictions put in place because of COVID-19. The Bulletin that was sent to all CPSU NSW employed at the University of Sydney can be viewed HERE.

Join the CPSU NSW

If you’re not a member, join up today HERE.

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

Australian Catholic University
Richard Faulkner

University of New England
Rob Webster

Charles Sturt University
John Jones

Macquarie University
Kirra Jackson

EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS DURING COVID-19

https://www.facebook.com/PSANSW/videos/151907362661518/

POVB bulletin

Workforce Planning Principles

Members would be aware that last year there was a 2019-2020 workforce planning process set in place.

This year 2020-2021, CSNSW were planning on doing a similar process however POVB raised several concerns due to the PBCAP process and staff that may be displaced due to cuts in centres.

We also have the issue that several centres are running their centres with a large amount of TEs due to the centre closures and restructures and placing staff affected by that process.

Out of this process we have been successful in getting the talent pool for casual to permanent started February 2019 extended to November 2020 rather than it ceasing in February 2020.

CSNSW will put out an EOI for casual to permanent from May 2020 and once that has been finalised will make up a second talent pool.

We have been able to get assurances from CSNSW that the 2019 talent pool will be used first for each centre and when that has been exhausted for the centre the 2020 talent pool will then be used to fill vacancies.

CSNSW have come up with a set of principles on how staff will be appointed, the use of talent pools and transfer lists. These principles will be on the Intranet. The POVB of each location will be consulted on how positions will be filled in your locations.

Closures/restructures

The process for placing staff effected by the closures has been a long and arduous one for all involved.

For Berrima CC and Illawarra Re-Integration Centre the dates for closing are drawing near. Illawarra Re-Integration Centre is closing 19 March 2020 and Berrima CC is closing 1 April 2020.

Brewarrina CC is closing 14 July 2020, Grafton CC is closing 4 August 2020 and Ivanhoe CC is closing 12 August 2020.

We are hoping that there will be meeting dates for Emu Plains CC and Kariong CC to discuss their restructure by end of this month. As yet we have had no confirmation on what the restructures look like staffing wise.

Coronavirus

There is a meeting being organised for the Department of Justice and Communities to discuss the issue and strategies.

We also requested Governors/Managers start to have conversations with POVB, Justice Health and Work Health Safety Committees about contingency plans for their locations if a case is found to be present.

We will be also requesting a meeting with CSNSW to discuss our issues and concerns especially at court locations who have very little to no Justice Health support.

RITs

Another meeting took place this week in regards to RITs.

CSNSW has not agreed to an SCO to do the RITs in the interim, on Overtime, in the three locations – SCCC, Bathurst and Shortland.

CSNSW have stated that the process for reviewing the RITs can be done through the benchmarking review process. Bathurst and Shortland are due to start their benchmarking review next week.

If your centre has already been through the review process and if the management team, along with POVB, believe that an SCO is an appropriate option then it can be done through the COPP process for variation to benchmarked agreement.

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

David Bartle POVB Industrial Officer
0418 425 976a

COVID-19 and its effect on your workplace conditions

The PSA CPSU NSW has been negotiating a range of benefits for workers affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The following describes conditions for people working in different sectors.

NSW public sector and state-owned corporations

The NSW Government has released a Premier’s Circular that establishes a number of key provisions to help manage the current COVID-19 pandemic at work.

The circular includes the following provisions:

Paid special leave of up to 20 days for people who need to be excluded from workplace/placed in quarantine
Paid special leave of up to 20 days for people with caring responsibilities or who have transport disruptions (without needing to exhaust other forms of leave first)
Paid special leave if the workplace is closed
For people who are sick – they apply for sick leave as usual, if they exhaust sick leave they can apply for special leave
Provision to work flexibly/remotely/at other locations where at all possible.

We are still attempting to resolve issues regarding casual workers, who are placed in a difficult position if required to work but unwell, and the union is particularly concerned with “frontline casual workers” who may not be able to work from home.

This circular should set the minimum standard for workers in the federal system, as described below.

University sector

The university sector has been particularly affected by the impact COVID-19 virus, with both revenue being affected and campuses closed. On 11 March 2019 both the Gold Coast and Lismore campuses of Southern Cross University closed due to COVID-19 concerns. The CPSU NSW was able to gain confirmation from the university that that all staff scheduled to work during this closure, including casuals, are to be paid for their rostered hours. Macquarie University has also agreed to pay casuals in the event of a close down. CPSU NSW officials have been consulting with other university administration and have been establishing supportive framework for university workers during this pandemic including for casual employees. The union’s industrial representatives will continue to consult with universities to maintain safety and support workers’ conditions.

TAFE NSW

The above Premier’s Circular also applies to TAFE NSW. The CPSU NSW will continue to consult with TAFE NSW to ensure the health and safety of our members.

Disability, utilities, private prisons and other federal system employees

These sectors are not immune from COVID-19 and are considered significant at- risk industries due to the nature of their clients and the essential services they deliver. The above circular should form the standard for supporting workers’ safety and industrial conditions via consultations that the union has commenced with your employer.

Work health and safety

As a declared pandemic, this is a health and safety issue for many workers. The PSA CPSU NSW is meeting with your employer regularly to consult on establishing workplace safety controls that will assist you manage pandemic influenza safety at work. We will continue to do this and workers are encouraged to do this locally with management through the mechanisms available under the Work Health and Safety Act. Prevention is of course preferable, so reducing or eliminating close contact with public (and co-workers) is a recommended mechanism, as well as systematic cleaning of surfaces.

The World Health Organisation has also published advice on how to get your workplace ready for COVID-19.

It includes tips such as:

Making sure workplaces are CLEAN AND HYGIENIC
Promoting regular, thorough HAND-WASHING by employees, contractors and customers
Promoting GOOD RESPIRATORY HYGIENE in the workplace
Advising people to CONSULT TRAVEL ADVISORIES before business trips
For places where COVID-19 is spreading in the community, asking people to STAY HOME FROM WORK if they have symptoms, even if they’re just a MILD COUGH, LOW-GRADE FEVER (37.3 degrees Celsius or more) or if they have taken medicines such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, because these can mask symptoms.

“Employers should start doing these things now, even if COVID-19 has not arrived in the communities where they operate,” the document says.

If you are concerned that workplace prevention, travel warnings and isolation measures are not being adhered to please contact your employer. In the event that your employer does not act, contact your union to progress.

Respect at work

During times such as these, it is important to maintain respectful relations with colleagues. Please keep informed about the pandemic’s developments and please do not panic. Our members in the Ministry of Health are informed and competent and are working to keep NSW safe and healthy.

Your union will continue to support members through this pandemic. If you are aware of colleagues are not yet members ask them to JOIN.

Update closure of Lismore and Gold Coast campuses

Shutdown update – March 2020 (PDF version)

Further to the CPSU NSW bulletin sent earlier today, Shelley Odewahn, President of the Higher Education Representative Council and Vice-President of the Southern Cross University CPSU NSW Branch, has contacted the university and received confirmation that all staff scheduled to work during this closure, including casuals, will be paid for their rostered hours.

As a union, we will continue to ensure your rights are protected during the uncertain times ahead. If you have any questions about accessing your entitlements, contact your local delegate or the Member Support Centre on 1800 772 679.

Your key CPSU NSW contacts

Anne Kennelly Industrial Manager

Toni Ledgerwood President, Southern Cross University CPSU NSW Branch

Shelley Odewahn Vice-President, Southern Cross University CPSU NSW Branch

Luke Davis Secretary, Southern Cross University CPSU NSW Branch

Peter Corr Assistant Secretary, Southern Cross University CPSU NSW Branch

Asren Pugh Organiser

Not a member? Join the CPSU NSW HERE.

Closure of Lismore and Gold Coast campuses today

Shutdown – March 2020 (PDF version)

You would have received a circular from the Vice Chancellor regarding today’s closure of the Lismore and Gold Coast campuses. This is a prudent and sensible response for the university to take given the potential for staff and student contact with a suspected case of COVID-19.

The university is contacting those who they have identified as coming in contact with the individual. If CPSU NSW members are affected and have questions about your workplace rights and entitlements, please contact our Member Service Centre on 1800 772 679.

Your union has contacted the university and received confirmation that all staff scheduled to work during this closure, including casuals, will be paid for their rostered hours.

The ACTU has released an information kit on the virus. You can read it HERE. Please note that the information is current as 4 March.

The World Health Organisation has recommended you STAY HOME FROM WORK and seek medical attention if you have symptoms, even if they are only a MILD COUGH, LOW-GRADE FEVER (37.3 degrees Celsius or more) or if you have taken medicines such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, as these can mask symptoms.

Getting workplaces ready for COVID-19

The PSA is attempting to review with NSW Health and the Premier’s Department an update to a memorandum of understanding for pandemic influenza that provides an agreed range of industrial relations tools to assist keeping the public sector functioning, but also utilising extra special leave to assist in isolation, recovery and caring for family, public sector mobility and flexible work arrangements such as working from home or through technology.

The ACTU has released an information kit on the virus. You can read it HERE.

The World Health Organisation has also published advice on how to get your workplace ready for COVID-19.

It includes tips such as:

Making sure workplaces are CLEAN AND HYGIENIC
Promoting regular, thorough HAND-WASHING by employees, contractors and customers
Promoting GOOD RESPIRATORY HYGIENE in the workplace
Advising people to CONSULT TRAVEL ADVISORIES before business trips
For places where COVID-19 is spreading in the community, asking people to STAY HOME FROM WORK if they have symptoms, even if they’re just a MILD COUGH, LOW-GRADE FEVER (37.3 degrees Celsius or more) or if they have taken medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, because these can mask symptoms

“Employers should start doing these things now, even if COVID-19 has not arrived in the communities where they operate,” the document says.

COVID-19 and Fisheries

Recent News

COVID-19: letter to TAFE NSW

NSW Health and Federal Department of Health Advice

Join the CPSU NSW

Contact the CPSU NSW

Recent News

COVID-19 – Disability, Home Care, and Client Support Services

Letter sent to ALL Disability Home Care and Client Support Service Providers in NSW

NSW Health and Federal Department of Health Advice

NSW Health Guidelines for Aged Care Facilities

Join the CPSU NSW

Contact the CPSU NSW

Recent News

Corrective Services – Coronavirus pandemic

Suspension of non-legal visits

Recent News

COVID-19 and Community Corrections

Recent News

CPSU NSW RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Higher Education Representative Council

Letter to the The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP

Southern Cross University

University of Sydney

Join the CPSU NSW

Contact the CPSU NSW

Recent News

EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS DURING COVID-19

Recent News

POVB bulletin

Workforce Planning Principles

Closures/restructures

Coronavirus

RITs

Contact details

Recent News

COVID-19 and its effect on your workplace conditions

NSW public sector and state-owned corporations

University sector

TAFE NSW

Disability, utilities, private prisons and other federal system employees

Work health and safety

Respect at work

Recent News

Update closure of Lismore and Gold Coast campuses

Your key CPSU NSW contacts

Recent News

Closure of Lismore and Gold Coast campuses today

Recent News

Getting workplaces ready for COVID-19

Recent News

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