Public Service Association (PSA) members Jody Satala, Maria Saunderson, Di Cooper, Rebbecca Starrs, Linda Johnson, Kelly Francou, Karen Potts and Industrial Officer Vanessa Ravenhill met with Department for Families and Communities (DFC) representatives for the first time on Wednesday 21 October 2009.

The Working Party was formed as part of a strategy proposed by DFC to resolve the issues raised by members implementing C3MS and the industrial action taken by Crisis Response Unit (CRU) members. The meeting was chaired by Marj Ellis, Northern Metropolitan Director, Families SA.

The following Terms of Reference were adopted by the group:

1. To expediently work through and resolve priority issues so that CRU work bans can be lifted

2. To ensure effective communication to all key parties (minutes will be circulated)

3. To ensure when broader issues impacting on other worksites, such as District Centres are      identified, that these issues will be communicated and mechanisms to manage them will be developed.

It was determined that the initial focus would be on CRU, as this is where the bans have been placed. (Note: Elizabeth District Centre members subsequently resolved to also take industrial action.)

PSA members from CRU tabled a document that included a list of issues that required changes as a matter of priority. Membership will comprise of PSA members representing the teams in CRU and members from the C3MS Implementation Team. Minutes will be distributed not only to the Working Party members but also to PSA and DFC Human Resources. DC Managers who are using the system will also receive a copy for distribution to all staff. The group will meet on a weekly basis.

PSA will provide regular updates to members on the outcomes from the Working Party.