Public Service Association (PSA) Industrial Officer Wayne Dungey and Membership Officer Eve Kasper visited Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on the 12^th of May 2009. The purpose of the visit was to present members and staff with an outline of the current important issues effecting EPA employees. The information session/ morning tea was well attended and provided an excellent opportunity to discuss a number of issues:

Public Sector Management Bill 2008

The Government is currently attempting to push through significant changes to the legislation that all Public Service employees are employed under. There are a number of concerns with the Bill which were discussed at the meeting.

Proposed Amendments to Legislative Council

The PSA is currently engaged in a campaign regarding the proposed referendum at the next election to determine the future of the Legislative Council, the Upper House. The PSA has prepared an educational video to highlight the importance of the Upper House as a House of Review.

Enterprise Bargaining

Enterprise Bargaining (EB) is about negotiating pay increases and improved conditions with the Government. The current Enterprise Agreement (EA), The South Australian Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2006 expires on the 21^st December 2009. Clause 25 states “Negotiations for a new EA may commence not earlier than 3 months prior to the expiry of this EA”. A PSA claim is made through and on behalf of members.

Worksite Representatives

The information session/ morning tea also provided the opportunity to highlight the important role Work-Site Representatives play in keeping employees informed at the grass roots level and also facilitates effective mechanisms for consultation in the workplace. Worksite representatives are effective in information sharing and dialogue between employees, management, the employer and the PSA, as the representative body.

The PSA is seeking nominations for Worksite Representatives for EPA. Worksite Representatives are essential in providing an employee voice within the workplace and will be critical in ensuring EPA's interests are addressed in the next EA.

Employee Voice:

............ increases efficiency of organisations and agencies through improved communication, which presents issues to management that can be remedied. In turn such remedies improve relations between organisational management and employees, improving working conditions. Through employee voice recommendations can be presented to management which aid in increasing and improving productivity and efficiency.

Any enquiries please contact PSA Industrial Officer, Wayne Dungey on 8205 3238 or email wkd@cpsu.asn.au