News Flash

Recently there have been rumours circulating in Health about the transition of the management of these functions to DPTI.

The PSA was aware that Cabinet had signed off on this occurring in principle.

The PSA was awaiting details in writing from the Government so that we could advise members. The PSA has just received a letter from Chris Oerman, Executive Director, DPTI stating;

“Dear Ms McMahon,

As you are aware, the future operation of facilities management across the South Australian Public Sector has been under consideration. SA Health will join the current Across Government Facilities Management Arrangement (AGFMA).

The general approach is for SA Health facilities management transition to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) over time.

The mechanism for this transition has not yet been determined.

DPTI will lead the process in collaboration with SA Health, and union consultation will be an important feature before decisions are made.

Accordingly, it would be appreciated if you would provide details of your nominated contact for this matter by 31 October 2011. Your nominated contact will then be contacted to arrange a meeting in the near future.”

Senior Industrial Officer Ian Peak has been nominated as the contact and will attend meetings, then be able to advise members.

Prior to receiving this letter, PSA had raised the issue with SA Health Senior Officers at an Industrial Liaison Forum (ILF). They advised PSA that the number of health employees in scope would be about 280 of these, 200 would be from trades areas and WHA's and between 60-80 from PSA's area of coverage i.e. ASO, OPS, TGO and PO.

The unions raised concerns about outsourcing and they referred to a firm called “Spotless”. There was no response that this would occur.

PSA stated unequivocally that we expected the State Government to honour it's no outsourcing policy.

The PSA does not agree with this proposal, (the details of which we have not seen) which by removing the direct management and therefore lines of management from the hospitals will increase certain inefficiencies and also concern for staff.

In similar situations (e.g. health payroll moving to shared services) PSA negotiated for Government to get an Australian Tax Office (ATO) ruling that employees in health previously utilising Salary Packaging arrangements, would continue to be eligible for the PBI status, if they continued to work on hospital business even though they had a different employer.

For payroll staff this was initially for a specified period, which has just recently been extended.

The PSA will be working on behalf of all members to ensure there is no reduction in your take home pay or your security of employment. The current SA Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2010 has a “no forced redundancy” clause 9.1.2 and also guarantees from the Labor Government prior to the last State Election.

PSA Industrial Staff are available to attend meetings at members worksites.

For any queries, information or to arrange a meeting, please contact PSA Senior Industrial Officer Ian D Peak at ian@cpsu.asn.au or call 8205 3294.

31 October 2011