MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON PSA DISPUTE

The PSA notified members of a dispute with Central Northern Adelaide Health Service (CNAHS) in a Brief dated 21 November 2007.

Due to the lack of response from CNAHS, PSA referred the matter to the Industrial Relations Commission of South Australia for a Voluntary Conference. PSA Senior Industrial Officer, Ian Peak, Industrial Officer Sue Cummins and Worksite Representative Peter O'Connell attended the Voluntary Conference before Commissioner Doyle on 5 December 2007 in the Industrial Relations Commission.

The dispute was in relation to the Department of Health's failure to consult on the Review of the Classification of Mental Health Team Leader positions of PO-3 within CNAHS.  The PSA's claim was that these positions should be classified at PO-4.  An agreed process was still in train for CNAHS to assess and determine the classification level of the positions.

Attending for the Department of Health were representatives from Department of Premier and Cabinet (Public Sector Workforce Division), Department of Health (Employee Relations/Workforce Development), and CNAHS Mental Health Division Senior HR Advisers. Recommendations from Commissioner Doyle are as follows.

In an endeavour to resolve the dispute at hand, the parties are encouraged to adopt the recommendations as set out below:

1. That the parties agree to review the ten team leader positions within the mental health area of CNAHS so as to determine whether or not a reclassification from the PO3 classification to the PO4 classification is warranted.

2. That the process to be adopted in any such review will be the subject of open consultation with the claimants, including the PSA.

3. That the review will take into account the arrangements currently applying to similar positions within the Southern Adelaide Health Service.

4. That the parties may enlist the support of the Commission should it be considered to be necessary, however in any event a report back conference will be held at 9.15 a.m. on Thursday 28 February 2008.

The parties to this dispute will be reporting back to Commissioner Doyle on 28 February 2008, as to the outcome of the Review of the Mental Health Team Leader Classifications within CNAHS Mental Health Service.

For enquires please contact Industrial Officer, Sue Cummins, on telephone 8205 3260 or via email sc@cpsu.asn.au

PSA WORKING FOR ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN MENTAL HEALTH