News Flash

A meeting has been scheduled for Thursday 5 November 2009 to commence the bargaining process.

PSA members at Minda will be represented by PSA Industrial Officer, Ted Szarek and PSA Worksite Representative, Steve Mills.

The PSA intends to include the following in the log of claims:

1. Salary increase

   Salary increases as follows:
   (a) from the beginning of the first full pay period commencing on or after the 1^st November 2008 – 5%
   (b) from the beginning of the first full pay period commencing on or after the 1^st November 2009 – 5%
   (c) from the beginning of the first full pay period commencing on or after the 1^st November 2010 – 5%

2. Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave

   Increase paid maternity and adoption leave from 4 weeks to 14 weeks. Entitlement to be extended to male partners if they are the primary care giver during the period of the leave.

3. Purchased Leave

   Purchased leave allows employees to purchase a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 2 weeks leave per year. Purchased leave is accrued by way of a fortnightly deduction, deducted before tax (from the employees pay). The accrual for purchased leave has to be built up before it can be taken. Purchased leave cannot be taken in advance. Annual leave loading is not part of the purchased leave scheme.

4. Classification of Developmental Educators

   The qualification for Developmental Educators has changed from what was originally a Diploma level qualification to a four year tertiary degree level qualification. As a result of the degree level qualification the position of

Developmental Educator would be more appropriately classified in the Professional Services Officer (PSO) stream.

4. Attraction/Retention of Professional Employees
   Salary levels for Professional Services Officers at Minda have not kept pace with professional officers working in SA Government. This will add pressure to Minda's ability to attract and retain suitably qualified professional staff. To help address this situation introduce promotional progression to allow experienced professional officers to progress to the next classification level after 12 months at the top increment level of their original classification.

5. Existing Award conditions

   All existing conditions in the Minda Incorporated Union Collective Agreement Number 6 unless specifically improved will apply in this collective agreement.

The PSA calls for feedback from members regarding what items/issues they consider need to be included as part of the claim.

PSA WORKING FOR ITS MEMBERS

2 November 2009