News Flash

This week senior PSA officials met with the new Premier and a number of Ministers appointed to new porfolios, including The Hon. Chloe Fox, MP, Minister for Transport Services, The Hon. Grace Portolesi, Minister for Education & Child Development, The Hon. Jennifer Rankine, Minister for Correctional Services, Emergency Services and Police.

The PSA was represented by President Lindsay Oxlad, General Secretary Jan McMahon, Chief Industrial Officer Peter Christopher and Senior Industrial Officer Josie Barbaro. In addition PSA SSO Councillors Margaret Tonkin and Monte Leverington attended the meeting with Minister Portolesi and Correctional Services Councillors Pat Bell-Corkin and Mick Griffiths attended the meeting with Minister Rankine.

The PSA has previously reported on the Premier's meeting, and the following is a summary of the discussions with the Ministers.

The following issues were discussed with Minister Fox:
Clarification of the portfolio structure
Explanation of PSA's role and coverage
Key issues affecting PSA members
    - Call Centre issues such as rostering and response time targets
    - integration of ticket sales office staff with the Passenger Transport Infoline

The following issues were discussed with Minister Portolesi:
Clarification of new Agency configuration, including the incorporation of some non-medical Health employees involved in the provision of Child and Youth Health Services and Torrens House. Current fringe benefit tax arrangements for these employees will continue. 
SSO issues including permanency conversion and classifications
Issues affecting Residential Care Workers
Child Protection case loads
Regular meetings
Establishing a forum for the Minister to meet with PSA members employed within DECD to discuss current issues

The following issues were discussed with Minister Rankine:
      DCS
Centralisation of Administration Services and impact on Prison operations and staffing
Prisoner accommodation and the unsuitability of and opposition by PSA, to the use of shipping containers for accommodation
Use of Tasers in Prisons
Secure Escorts and the use of G4S
Inadequacy of Mental Health care for prisoners
SAFECOM - Concerns over resource reduction
SAPOL - Recognition of work of PSA members 

The PSA will continue to meet regularly with Ministers regarding issues affecting PSA members and will continue to report progress.

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

21 November 2011