News Flash

Senior PSA officials today met recently appointed Industrial Relations Minister, the Hon. Russell Wortley.

The PSA was represented by President Lindsay Oxlad, General Secretary Jan McMahon and Chief Industrial Officer Peter Christopher. The following is a report on key issues discussed.

THE PSA
Details were provided to the Minister of the very extensive range of classifications covered by the PSA. In addition to identifying ASO, PO, AHP, TGO and OPS Streams, classifications within those streams were identified.

ENTERPRISE BARGAINING
The PSA advised that the current Parity Agreement expires on 30 June 2012, yet significant issues arose about any future Agreement in light of the 2010 Foley Budget which removed entitlements protected within the current Agreement.

Extensive legal, political and technical issues were highlighted by the PSA which need to be resolved prior to even contemplating any future Agreement. The Minister recognised this.

RESEARCH
The PSA provided the Minister examples of recent independent academic research. Attention was drawn by the PSA to the University of Adelaide survey that showed that in more than 80% of cases duties were reallocated amongst existing staff after cut backs, despite the fact that Agencies stated that those duties were no longer required to be performed.

Information was also provided showing that the size of the public sector had reduced by 6% as a proportion of the South Australian workforce over the past two decades.

(Peter Christopher, Chief Industrial Officer pgc@cpsu.asn.au)

JOB CUTS = SERVICE CUTS