The Government has requested an urgent compulsory conference in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) and will be seeking orders that all bans be lifted.

This application will be heard on Wednesday 29 October at 9am.

PSA members in Payroll and Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable mainly in health reimposed bans because of their frustration with the Government not responding to their concerns.

The IRC had previously recommended that all bans be lifted so that the parties could meet “with the objective of limiting the negative effects of employees moving to Shared Services SA.”

After 4 meetings in the IRC, the last being on Thursday 23 October 2008, the Government had made no offers at all and had been granted an adjournment until 7 November 2008.

The Government still intends to move metropolitan and country based health positions to the CBD from 24 November 2008.

The issues of dispute are:

• Salary Packaging – Government has offered extension of 12 months only.

• Additional travel costs

• Additional child care costs

• Relocation costs for country people - What is offered is for less than costs incurred.

• Redeployment policy - PSA seeks assurance that country members will not eventually be required to move, and an assurance of no drop in salary.

• Classification issues - PSA has asked that if members are doing work assessed at a higher level they be reclassified prior to being transferred. PSA's concern is that the Government response to date implies that higher level work will be taken away.

Despite the Commissioner's recommendations, the Government has made no positive responses or offers for compensation for the losses which members will incur because of the compulsory relocation.

For further enquiries, please contact PSA Acting Assistant Chief Industrial Officer Ian Peak on phone (08) 8205 3294 or email ian@cpsu.asn.au

28 October 2008