News Flash

The PSA's Dispute with the Department of Health ICT Services has been resolved and status quo provisions lifted.

The Public Service Association (PSA) has met formally with ICT Management on several occasions since March 2011 to resolve the ongoing dispute.

The PSA noted acknowledgement by ICT Management that some methods used for the filling of vacant positions has been flawed and contrary to agreed guidelines.

The PSA advised that members were willing to lift the status quo dispute provisions provided the following conditions were agreed and implemented:

• Temporary employees receive priority for ongoing positions ahead of external contractors.

• All external advertising of positions cease until ALL structures have been finalised and implemented.

• Any existing and potential unattached staff are considered for vacant positions and if necessary offered appropriate training to fill vacant positions.

• Management adhere to Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, Redeployment Guideline and Department of Health HR Principles for the ICT Centralisation Project.

ICT Management indicated that there had been circa $6 million in budgeted cuts which were not originally part of the process and this had resulted in additional positions being abolished. The PSA reiterates the 12.6 FTE that have to date volunteered for TVSPs may have indicated this preference as they were previously declared as unattached or redeployee status and were NOT offered any alternative employment.

The PSA also highlighted to ICT Management that the matching process taking place seemed flawed as the PSA received many queries and complaints about this process. ICT Management stated that anyone who has concerns with the matching process is to contact Adele Jackson, Manager, ICT Resource Control.

ICT Management has also given a commitment that if any staff member submits a formal grievance, a conciliation meeting with the staff member and management will be part of the process to ensure their grievance is dealt with appropriately. The PSA encourages any ICT staff member who is unhappy with the matching process to submit a grievance as per ICT HR Principles Item 6 Grievance Resolution Process.

The PSA has received an undertaking from ICT Management, on behalf of ICT Services, that the above provisions have been agreed to.

The following is an extract from an email to all ICT Managers from Mr Bill Le Blanc, Director, ICT Customer Service:

“ICT Services will NOT advertise further positions externally until ALL ICT branches have progressed their structures to a level that can be 100% sure that there are no unattached ICT employees from other branches that can be retrained to undertake the advertised role. All requests to advertise positions externally will need to be approved by Senior Management to ensure that ICT Management honour the terms of the dispute resolution.”

The PSA is prepared to move forward in a positive consultative manner and work with ICT Management to facilitate the personnel aspects of the ICT Centralisation Project.

The PSA is committed to the PSA membership in ICT Health.

6 June 2011