Office of Environment and Heritage Bulletin

Office of Environment and Heritage Bulletin – 5 May 2017 (PDF Version)

The PSA and OEH have had positive informal discussions in relation to award negotiations. The parties have agreed to establish award meetings starting Monday 9 May. The PSA is hopeful we reach a mutual agreement to benefit all stakeholders and will continue to keep members up to date on the outcome of these meetings.

Celebrating 50 years of NPWS

The PSA has been on the front foot celebrating the 50 year anniversary of NSW NPWS, building up a campaign aiming at Protecting Our National Parks. To keep up to date with the campaign, and media around PSA members, important role in Protecting Our National Parks, please “like” and follow the Facebook page HERE.

We are now rolling out member events to celebrate and recognise the important work all NPWS PSA members, do for the people of NSW. In the coming months, the PSA will be holding celebratory events in a number of areas around the state. Further details will be distributed as they are confirmed.

Unity, Strength, Respect

Actively engage in building the PSA’s power and strength in your workplace by encouraging your colleagues to join the PSA. They can do so online at www.psa.asn.au. The more members we have, the stronger we are to advocate and fight for better working conditions, higher pay increases and increased job security. These will ensure we continue to provide quality public services for NSW.

Office of Environment and Heritage Update on dispute

Office of Environment and Heritage update on dispute – March 2017 (PDF version)

The PSA appeared in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) of NSW on Thursday, 9 March 2017 in relation to the introduction of a new classification, Principal Project Officer (PPO) which we believe was to replace the two Area Managers that were located at Narooma. The PSA provided information resulting from the loss of the Area Managers and the knock-on effects to other staff and National Parks in the regions.

The PSA argued this new PPO role was not in the Award and therefore the Department was attempting to circumvent the Award by the introduction of a new classification.

OEH produced a PPO role description that had not been cited by the PSA prior to Thursday proceedings. OEH advised the Commissioner the PPO role was not a Ranger role as it did not have Ranger functions. OEH also advised the IRC the PPO role which is renumerated as a Clerk Grade 11/12 currently existed in NSW National Parks and went on to produce around 40 examples which PSA believe are non-operational.

Due to the PSA not citing the PPO role description prior to Thursday’s proceedings, Commissioner Tabbaa adjourned the matter to give the parties the opportunity to discuss the PPO role and other issues that have been raised in court proceeding.

OEH were advised of the knock-on effect, the stress and workload issues this was having on the region with the loss of two Area Managers and not back-filling Ranger roles.

During conciliation and placed on record, it was agreed that National Parks will backfill vacant roles in the North and Central Southern Regions and also agreed that the PPO role was not a supervisory role, it is a support role for the two regions, which OEH agreed to.

The matter has been left open for four weeks to be relisted if need be.

Recent media

In response to our continued campaign to protect the conditions of NPWS Rangers, the PSA has been successful in gaining media around the offer the PSA put to OEH, and the subsequent refusal from OEH to engage with the PSA regarding it. You can view the article, which was printed in The Land HERE

To keep up to date with the campaign, and media around PSA’s campaign to Protect Our Parks, please “like” and follow the following Facebook page HERE.

Your Union, Your Power

Actively engage in building the PSA’s power and strength in your workplace by encouraging your colleagues to join the PSA – they can do so online at www.psa.asn.au. The more members we have, the stronger we are to advocate and fight for strong working conditions, better pay increases and protecting your jobs to ensure we continue to provide quality public services for NSW.

Taronga Zoo Code of conduct disclosure forms

Taronga Zoo Code of conduct disclosure forms – March 2017 (PDF version)

The PSA membership at Taronga Conservation Society Australia, located at Sydney and Dubbo have raised concerns in relation to the HR 8.1.1 Disclosure Form. Members have advised they have been instructed to complete Parts A, B and C of this document before 31 March 2017.

PSA Industrial Officer Michael Sinclair and PSA Taronga delegates attended a Joint Consultative Committee meeting with Taronga Zoo management on
14 March 2017. The PSA raised concerns in relation to the HR 8.1.1 Disclosure Form and advised Taronga Zoo management that members will be instructed not to sign the Disclosure Form until legal advice has been sought on the legal ramifications of members once it has been signed.

The PSA believes the existing legislative requirements and code of conduct policies are adequate in regards to conflict of interests, animal welfare and outside employment.

Based on the PSA’s position, Taronga Zoo management has agreed to members not signing the Disclosure Form. Taronga Zoo management has agreed to meet with the PSA and PSA delegates once legal advice has been sought.

The PSA would encourage members to speak to the delegates voicing their concerns in relation to the HR8.1.1 Disclosure Form.

Claudia Bianchi
[email protected]

Richard Buzas
[email protected]

Fiona Cameron
[email protected]

Kevin Milton
[email protected]

Michael Shiels
[email protected]

Environment Protection Authority member survey

Environment Protection Authority member survey – March 2017 (PDF version)

A teleconference was held on Friday 24 February 2017 to discuss the After Hours Incident Service (AHIS) allowance. Following that teleconference, an email survey was forward to all members on 1 March 2017 from Mr David Bell, one of your EPA PSA delegates, seeking further feedback on the proposed changes that may affect your future payments and entitlements.

The PSA understands not all regions are remunerated the same in relation to AHIS allowance. Therefore, it is essential members provide the necessary feedback to give the PSA a balanced view on how the AHIS allowance and duration has been applied. The PSA is also seeking clarification on its current position in relation to the following four issues of negotiation.

The four remaining issues are as follows;

Issue 1: The definition of an incoming call;

Issue 2: NSW Fire and Rescue advisory notification texts to the EPA Duty Incident Advice Co-ordinator

Issue 3: Reasonable Expectation of time to manage a call

Issue 4; Remuneration for AHIS calls received during business hours.

The PSA asks all members to reply to David Bell’s email survey by no later than 5pm 10 March 2017 after which collation of the results will take place. You will find the survey HERE, and it can be emailed to David Bell at [email protected]

Laundry allowance

The PSA can advise that members who have been provided with protective clothing are entitled to a laundry allowance which currently equates to $9.50 per fortnight. The PSA has been advised only one person in the EPA has made a claim for the laundry allowance and associated back pay. The PSA encourages all members to contact Industrial Officer [email protected] with the subject title Laundry Allowance to apply for their entitlement of a fortnightly laundry allowance and additionally apply for their full back pay entitlement, which equates to approximately $250 per year.

The PSA will then advocate on your behalf to gain your entitlement.

Please note the PSA will not be advocating on behalf of non-union members when seeking the laundry allowance and back pay. However, we encourage all non-members to join the PSA at www.psa.asn.au

EPA PSA Delegates

Dr Judith Greenwood
Senior Air Policy Officer – 02 9995 5888

David Bell
Operations Officer – 02 4908 6817

Peter Lloyd-Jones
Senior Operations Policy Officer –
02 9995 6046

David Thompson
Pesticides Inspector – 02 9995 6859

PSA Staff

Michael Sinclair
Industrial Officer – 1800 772 679

Latu Sailosi
Organiser – 0418 254 714

It’s worth Fighting and Joining the PSA For!

Office of Environment & Heritage member update

Office of Environment and Heritage member update – March 2017 (PDF version)

The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) gave an undertaking at a meeting held 8 February 2017 that it would provide a letter to the PSA acknowledging the PSA’s position on the offer of hard barriers for the Ranger classifications. The PSA received the letter Tuesday 28 February which can be viewed HERE.

On Wednesday, March 1 2017, the PSA in good faith put a counter proposal to the OEH. The POVB delegates who developed it believed it was consistent with future parks direction. Read the counter proposal HERE.

The OEH took two working hours from receiving the proposal to decline what delegates believed was an opportunity for the PSA, National Park Rangers and OEH management to work together developing future National Parks.

The OEH replied to the proposal via email, stating it declined any engagement on this offer. It was not even prepared to meet to discuss the offer.

It is obvious OEH management does not want to consult or negotiate in good faith and consider a proposal that our members would find supportive and beneficial to the agency.

The PSA has lodged a dispute in the Industrial Relation Commission of NSW in relation to the creation of a Principal Project Officer role based in Narooma without any consultation with the PSA.

In addition on Thursday 2 March, PSA General Secretary Stewart Little and a PSA delegation met with the Minister for the Environment, Ms Gabriella Upton. Minister Upton listened to the PSA’s concerns and advised she would seek further information regarding those concerns.

It is disappointing, in this the 50^th year of NSW NPWS, OEH management is more interested in cutting the conditions of staff than celebrating the valuable work you do. Despite this, the PSA has started developing a positive campaign celebrating 50 years of NSW NPWS and is currently planning celebratory events. Details will be sent once they are confirmed. For more information, please “like” and follow the following Facebook page HERE.

DPI Water Restructure update

DPI water restructure update – 14 February 2017 (PDF Version)

The PSA met with management on 7 February to further discuss the current restructure. We raised and discussed the following issues:

Make up of interview panels: the PSA recommended DPI Water exceed the minimum criteria in this instance to instil confidence in the process. Management was open to:

– three-person panels

– installing the direct supervisor as the hiring manager, where possible

– in the case of externally advertised positions, including one member of the panel external to DPI Water with skills relevant to the role being recruited, where possible.

This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Communication to staff: the PSA raised the importance of good communication to staff. DPI Water Deputy Director General Gavin Hanlon advised he would predominantly use DPI@Work/Workplace, as well as some updates by email.
Interview training: as a result of requests there be stronger emphasis on interview training skills, staff will be provided with email links to training websites to assist with this.

As a result of PSA action to date, supplementary interviews have taken place for three Grade 11/12 staff. Further to this, three DPO 2/3 staff were able to be assessed internally for Clerk grade 7/8 positions as a result of PSA representation.

PSA survey of members

You would be aware of a survey conducted of members recently relating to the current situation in DPI Water. A total of 58 responses were received. The following summarises a preliminary assessment of the results of that survey. A more detailed summary can be viewed HERE.

In regard to the issues the PSA should focus on, the most significant response by far was to ensure the process is consistent, transparent and equitable. The next highest response was addressing individual issues as they arise.

More than 70 per cent of those responding sought a slower but measured approach to the restructure as opposed to those preferring it being completed quickly.

Whilst a high number of respondents were satisfied with the PSA’s communication (with nearly 20 per cent being very satisfied) there was a small percentage not of that view. Communication is something the PSA always endeavours to improve upon and we recognise all our members’ views on this. Since the major changes in PSA leadership last year, the delegate structure is becoming revitalised again.

To this end, a meeting will be held for all those in Parramatta at 12noon on Thursday 16 February in the Level 3 meeting rooms to provide a verbal update of the restructure and to seek feedback. All are welcome.

A reminder that you can contact members of the workplace group (listed below) or direct to the PSA via phone on 1800 772 679.

PSA workplace group in DPI Water:

Michael Wrathall (delegate)

Andrew Brooks

Mark Burrell

Shahadat Chowdhury

Patrick Driver

Michael Healey

Helen Keenan

Dave Miller

Patrick Pahlow

National Parks and Wildlife Service Award Update

National Parks and Wildlife Service award update – February 2017 (PDF version)

Last week Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) arranged a series of Skype meetings with Rangers. During the meetings OEH threatened to explore alternative industrial arrangements if the PSA did not agree to its current Award variation proposals. Subsequent to those meetings the PSA also undertook a number of workplace meetings last week. Attendance at those meetings was very good and a range of issues and concerns were discussed.

At the meetings, members clearly indicated their overwhelming support for the PSA position on the current issues.

Award variations are made in consent with the PSA and our members. Contrary to any threats made, Rangers currently have an award – the Crown Employees (Office of Environment and Heritage – National Parks and Wildlife Service) Conditions of Employment Award 2015 – which outlines their conditions of employment including long established grading’s and classifications. It cannot be varied without the consent of the PSA.

Following our workplace meetings, National Parks and Wildlife Service delegates met at PSA House on Monday, 6 February 2017 to discuss issues arising from the PSA visits to workplaces.

Delegates at Monday’s meeting agreed to listen to the Department’s response to the PSA letter dated 12 January 2017.

A meeting was then convened with OEH on Wednesday, 8 February 2017. At this meeting the Department confirmed its ‘current’ position, indicating:

OEH is seeking to vary your Award via consent with the PSA

The current proposal does not include any ‘grandfathering’ of Ranger grades

Consultation on any restructure is currently planned for end of February/March.

The PSA was able to clarify our position, which was if they would like to reach an agreement via consent, they would need to listen to the concerns of our members, and explore alternatives to the ‘non-grandfathering’ of current grades, and alternatives to the introduction of hard barriers.

The Department thanked the PSA for this advice and indicated it would get back to us.

Please see attached RDs for proposed new Ranger grades HERE.

The PSA wishes to thank members for their participation and support at the recent meetings. We look forward to their continued support during this campaign. Members can be sure that whilst the PSA will always consider proposals in good faith, we will not let threats to explore alternative industrial arrangements dull our resolve to always put our member’s best interests first.

Your PSA POVB Delegates are:

Sydney Metro – Tegan Burton

Hurstville; Paramatta – Ben Owers

South Coast; Southern Ranges – Alex Deura

Far South Coast – George Malolakis

Blue Mountains – Kim De Govrik

Western Region – John Holcombe

Northern Tablelands – Peter Clark

Northern Rivers/ North Coast – Janet Cavanaugh

Technical Officers – Ken England

Kempsey – Alex Wyatt

Other NPWS delegates:

Anita Zubovic

Martin Smith

Steve Carter

Trish Swain

What can I do?

Speak to your fellow colleagues and get them interested in our campaign.

Ask a fellow worker to join the PSA so we are stronger together.

Taronga Zoo Performance development and performance review bulletin

Taronga Zoo Performance decelopment and performance review bulletin – February 2017 (PDF version)

The PSA met with members at Taronga Zoo on 7 February in relation to the implementation of the Performance Development and Performance Review document (PDPR).

Members raised concerns regarding the lack of information regarding the use of the PDPR document, particularly on whether it could be used as a performance management tool.

Following the members meeting, PSA Industrial staff and delegates met with zoo management, raising concerns about a lack of consultation on its implementation. On that basis the PSA requested management to quarantine the document until such time as proper consultation occurs. The PSA also requested the PDPR be forwarded to all staff to review and comment.

Zoo management has agreed and also has emailed all staff a copy of the PDPR document.

The PSA encourages all members to read and review the document and provide feedback to the Taronga Zoo delegates with your concerns and how their document could be improved.

The PSA has given an undertaking that we will meet the members in two weeks to bring any further concerns to a subsequent meeting with management.

Your PSA Taronga ZOO Delegates are:

Michael Shiels

Richard Buzas

Claudia Bianchi

What can I do?

Read the proposed PDPR document.

Provide your comments and feedback.

Ask a fellow worker to join the PSA so we are stronger together.

Feral pest, weed and fire management threat in National Parks overhaul – The Land

Cuts to Regional Manager and Ranger positions in National Parks and Wildlife puts at risk not only the safety of visitors to our parks but also the proper management of weeds, feral animals and bushfires.

Read the full The Land article HERE.

Office of Environment & Heritage gradings and classifications

Office of Environment and Heritage gradings and classifications – January 2017 (PDF version)

The PSA met with the POVB delegates on 11 January to discuss Ranger gradings and classifications. The PSA wrote to Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) management on 22 December, formally inviting a senior representative to address the National Park delegates and to discuss issues affecting National Park Rangers.

OEH declined to respond to the invitation and disappointingly, no further discussions have taken place.

However, on 23 December at 3:50pm, the PSA received an undated without prejudice letter, signed by Mr Tony O’Donnell. The correspondence provided by OEH included a proposal of hard barriers and pay scales for Rangers, and sought agreement by close of business 12 January 2017.

In the correspondence, Mr O’Donnell acknowledged the Christmas shutdown period. However, the unrealistic timeframes to provide a response by 12 January was not taken into consideration. OEH would be well aware the PSA would not have time to talk to the membership and vote on any proposed Award variations, especially when this involves the potential diminution of conditions.

The PSA and OEH have been trying to negotiate a reasonable savings outcome since February 2016. The PSA has continually tried to engage OEH to form regional committees as per the 2010 Savings Implementation Plan to identify areas where savings could be made. OEH have repeatedly refused this request. Once again, OEH is threatening the conditions of the PSA membership without proper consideration of the savings that could be found when the parties work together.

The PSA remains of the opinion these savings can and will be found without attacking hard-won members’ conditions of employment.

In June 2016, OEH Deputy Chief Executive Michael Wright, provided PSA with assurances OEH Rangers would maintain conditions of employment through a grandfathering process. However, Mr Wright did not guarantee the ongoing employment of Rangers if hard barriers were to be introduced. There is little benefit in grandfathering conditions if Ranger positions are made redundant.

The PSA does not support a pyramid structure as proposed by OEH that reduces the knowledge and experience from the Ranger structure.

If a proper and considered proposal is put to the PSA for consideration in relation to changes to award conditions, the PSA will engage our membership before any agreement would be reached.

The PSA will endeavour to hold regional meetings of Rangers, but unfortunately during the height of the fire season, this in some cases is almost impossible to achieve at such short notice.

The PSA General Secretary Stewart Little remains resolute in preserving the conditions of employment for National Parks members. Any decision by OEH to seek an alternate Industrial Instrument as previously threatened would require the PSA to react accordingly.

The PSA will not be blackmailed into accepting any proposal which undermines our members’ current Award conditions. The PSA has now written to Mr Wright in response to the letter of demand, requesting further meetings with management. You can find the correspondence HERE.

Your PSA POVB Delegates are:

Sydney Metro – Anita Zubovic

South West Metro – Ben Owers/Raf Pedrosa

Illawarra – Jennifer Bean

South Coast – Alex Deura

Far South Coast – George Malolakis

Blue Mountains – Kim De Govrik

Far West – John Holcombe

North Coast – Peter Clark

Southern Ranges – Steve Carter

New England/Far North Coast – Ann Walton/Martin Smith

What can I do?

Speak to your fellow colleagues and get them interested in our campaign.

Ask a fellow worker to join the PSA so we are stronger together.

Office of Environment & Heritage 45 weekend days

Office of Environment & Heritage 45 weekend days – December 2016 (PDF version)

Weekend roster update

Since the last industrial bulletin of 18 November 2016, the PSA contacted OEH to meet in relation to the 45 weekend days.

The PSA attended a meeting on 2 December 2016 to further discuss the proposed implementation of 45 weekend days and five public holidays.

The Department advised if the PSA did not agree to the 45 weekend days it would lodge a dispute after 3 January 2017 and take the matter to arbitration.

OEH was advised the PSA will seek legal advice on the interpretation of the award in relation to 45 weekend days. The PSA also requested OEH to provide written advice regarding their proposal.

The PSA received a without prejudice email, advising of the following.

Staff who are assigned to roles that are 7 Day Roster roles will have their shifts entered into the standardised roster that records 45 days of weekend attendance.
Staff will be required to attend for a minimum of 35 days (Saturdays and Sundays) of weekend rostered days. In return for this attendance they shall continue to receive the 17% – 7 Day Roster Loading and the 2 additional weeks of recreational leave per annum. Any weekend shifts that staff do not attend above 35 days staff will be required to access appropriate leave entitlements. This offer is in keeping with the long held community standards that both State and Commonwealth jurisdictions have upheld for many years.
Once the principles above are agreed staff and managers will then consult locally to establish a pattern of work that seeks to support both the operational need of the NPWS estate and the reasonable personal needs of the staff member.

For example:

a) Staff and managers may agree to work more weekend days during a certain period of the year

b) Staff may request to work more of one weekend days than another

c) Staff may request to swap shifts with a comparable grade and classification employee so long as the operational needs of the agency are met and other staff members are not disadvantaged

d)Part time work arrangements will continue to be supported so long such arrangements encompass weekend shift attendance.

4. OEH cannot support the PSA position that staff who are 7 Day Roster workers pursuant to the award do not have to attend work on weekends. OEH believe that if staff are not to work weekends in accordance with the award in return for the financial and additional leave benefits that are paid, that those provisions of the award may be at risk of being obsolete.

The PSA will be consulting with its lawyers in relation to OEH push to introduce up to 45 weekend days (with a minimum of (35 days). Further the PSA has never stated members should not work weekends.

The PSA’s position has been throughout this process during sustainability meetings, Industrial Relations Commission or any other forum that OEH established regional committees containing PSA representatives and management to look at 45 weekend days based on operational needs.

The matter has been before Commissioner Newell on two occasions.

Commissioner Newell clearly states, as per our bulletin dated 18 November 2016, that OEH must consult and if OEH attempted to introduce a 12-month roster with the 45 weekend days and five public Holidays the Commission would get involved.

Office of Environment and Heritage Bulletin

Recent News

Office of Environment and Heritage Update on dispute

Recent media

Your Union, Your Power

Recent News

Taronga Zoo Code of conduct disclosure forms

Recent News

Environment Protection Authority member survey

Laundry allowance

EPA PSA Delegates

PSA Staff

It’s worth Fighting and Joining the PSA For!

Recent News

Office of Environment & Heritage member update

Recent News

DPI Water Restructure update

Recent News

National Parks and Wildlife Service Award Update

Your PSA POVB Delegates are:

What can I do?

Recent News

Taronga Zoo Performance development and performance review bulletin

Your PSA Taronga ZOO Delegates are:

What can I do?

Recent News

Feral pest, weed and fire management threat in National Parks overhaul – The Land

Recent News

Office of Environment & Heritage gradings and classifications

Your PSA POVB Delegates are:

What can I do?

Recent News

Office of Environment & Heritage 45 weekend days

Weekend roster update

Recent News

National Parks’ firefighting expertise up in smoke, union warns – Illawarra Mercury

Recent News

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