The Public Service Association (PSA) met with representatives from the Department for Families and Communities (DFC) and Families SA to discuss the resolution that Crisis Response Unit members passed unanimously on the 18th August 2008.
Executive representatives, Beth Dunning and Steve Ramsey, have agreed to meet with members in their worksite at 3pm on the 12th September 2008 and respond to each of issues listed below:

The lack of resources at CRU and the field resulting in unmanageable workloads,
serious child protection matters being closed with no action taken, high volumes
of calls to the Child Abuse Report Line causing unreasonable long wait times or
inability for notifiers to get through at all. 

The lack of additional resources to deal with the increased work loads that
will result when Structured Decision Making (SDM) is introduced in September 2008. 

The financial disadvantage caused to shift workers in CRU due to the
“Pay Cycle Realignment” and the withholding of 1 weeks pay from workers.

Inadequate recruitment and retention policies and programs resulting
in the Department's inability to retain experienced staff and attract new professionals. 

Continued use of short term renewable contracts with lack of permanency.

Lack of Government funding to do all the work the Department is mandated to perform.

The issues affecting CRU members are similar to those that are affecting members
throughout Families SA.  A separate meeting will be called to discuss these issues.