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News Flash
SHARED
SERVICES UPDATE - MAY 2008
PSA
General Secretary Jan McMahon, President Lindsay Oxlad, Chief
Industrial Officer Peter Christopher and Industrial Officer Josie
Barbaro met with representatives from the Department of Treasury
and Finance (DTF) and Shared Services SA (SSSA), on Wednesday 7th
May 2008.
The PSA remains concerned at the failure to
negotiate key issues, including conditions of employment, and the
failure to address instances where employees will clearly be
disadvantage as a result of transitioning. The following is a
summary of issues discussed;
ATO Ruling – The ATO has
approved a proposal for health employees transitioning to Shared
Services to maintain their salary sacrifice arrangements for a 12
month period. To remain within ATO regulations, former health
employees must continue to service health units. After the
transition, DTF expects employees to become part of the general
DTF workforce, which means losing salary sacrifice benefits. The
PSA has requested a copy of the ATO advice.
* Regional Employees – DTF advised that regional
employees who had been given a commitment from Minister Wright
they will not be forced to move to Adelaide, will become
redeployees of DTF. DTF also confirmed redeployed regional health
employees would lose their salary sacrifice arrangements unless
redeployed within the Health sector. The PSA indicated this has
not been made clear at any of the SSSA presentations conducted
for regional employees, as it has the potential to cause
significant hardship for members.
* Organisational Chart – The PSA raised concerns
that new positions for Shared Services are being advertised,
despite the fact the PSA has not been consulted on any
organisational structure, the number of employees employed on
contracts and the potential for redeployees to be created through
the restructure. DTF undertook to discuss the organisational
chart at the next Workforce Consultative Meeting.
* Outer Metro employees - The PSA expressed concern on
behalf of members working in outer metro areas who do not want to
relocate to Adelaide. It is clear that DTF's position is all
employees within scope will be forced to relocate. The PSA has
not accepted this approach, particularly when this will involve
considerable cost and disruption for families.
* Flexitime – Agencies and employees have been
advised by SSSA that flexitime/flexibank credits should be
reduced to a zero balance prior to the transition. The PSA
expressed a concern that due to workloads, staff shortages etc,
this may not be realistic or possible and employees should not be
penalised. SSSA stated that where this is the case, arrangements
will be made to ensure members do not lose these entitlements.
Members are encouraged to contact the PSA if they have concerns
regarding their flexitime.
The PSA is still not satisfied with the response from DTF on
a number of outstanding issues and will continue to meet with
members regarding any possible action.
Should
you have any questions please contact enquiries@cpsu.asn.au
PSA
MEMBERS WHO STAND TOGETHER, WIN TOGETHER
9
May 2008
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