On Wednesday 29 October 2008, PSA General Secretary Jan McMahon, Vice President Peter Hewish, Families SA Worksite Representatives, and Industrial Staff met with the Chief Executive for the Department for Families and Communities Joslene Mazel.

The PSA raised serious concerns regarding the lack of resources available in the Department to deal with children in immediate danger of abuse. PSA members expressed concern that children may die because of the Department's failure to intervene.

The following Motion was passed unanimously:

“This meeting of Families SA PSA Worksite Representatives determines that until the Government provides adequate funding to address the current child protection crisis and the Minister and Chief Executive for Families and Communities lift the ban on filling of vacancies (2-3) in all District Centres as a result of 4% salary savings Government initiative, the following action will be taken, commencing immediately:

PSA members

• will work to rule, including starting and finishing within normal business hours (8.45am – 5pm).

• will take a common lunch break, at 1pm for 45 minutes (no calls will be taken and front counter duty will not be provided during in this time).

• no Ministerial or Executive briefings including FOIs will be provided.

• will in emergency situations, claim paid overtime rather than accepting Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) for any out of hours work.

• will refer all unallocated cases and cases that contribute to an unreasonable workload to their Regional Director.”

All members are encouraged to support this industrial action.

For further enquiries, please contact PSA Industrial Officer Vanessa Ravenhill on phone (08) 8205 3251 or email vr@cpsu.asn.au

PSA WORKING FOR CHILDREN AT RISK