The PSA today notified the ODPP of a dispute in relation to the above policy. This is a result of the failure by the ODPP to respond to PSA correspondence dated 17 February 2009 which detailed the PSA's concern regarding the lack of consultation, and the request to suspend the policy in order that consultation occurs.

Not only was there a failure to respond, ODPP legal staff were informed on Thursday 19 February that the implementation of the policy on Monday 23 February 2009 would proceed.

This represents a blatant disregard to the provisions contained within the South Australian Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2006 which is binding on the ODPP and its staff.

Clause 22.1.4 states "Workplace change that will affect a significant number of employees should not be implemented before appropriate consultation has occurred with employee representatives."

The PSA were advised by email from the DPP at 5.25pm Thursday, 19 February 2009 that implementation has been delayed by a week to give the Director time to respond to the PSA letter of 17 February 2009. 

 The PSA has sought an urgent response from the DPP by COB 28 February 2009 that the status quo will remain in line with Clause 23.2 of the Enterprise Agreement, "Except where a bona fide health and safety issue is involved, during any dispute the status quo existing immediately prior to the dispute will remain. Work will continue as it was prior to the matter giving rise to dispute."

Failure to confirm that the status quo will remain will see the PSA refer the dispute to the South Australian Industrial Relations Commission as a matter of urgency.

The PSA is concerned about the implications of the proposed policy on ODPP staff and by the disregard to industrial agreements specifying conditions of employment.