News Flash

         On Wednesday 13 April 2011, PSA President Lindsay Oxlad and Industrial Officer Simon Johnson attended the Engineers Remuneration Review Consultative Committee.

         As previosuly advised, the Chief Executive of DTEI has accepted a number of recommendations arising out of the Review including:

• By 31 March 2011 adopt a policy that interprets the existing work level definitions within the context of the engineering function in DTEI, and subsequently implements through administrative arrangements.

• Ensure the application of the management allowance is reviewed by a tripartite group and applied in accordance with the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement by end of April 2011.

• DTEI, will, on receipt of an application for reclassification, provide a response within 30 days and educate managers and engineers on the process and requirements of the classification process.

• Educate managers and staff about the rules, processes and policies regarding attraction and retention contracts and allowances.

• Improve understanding of the total remuneration benefits by holding information sessions as quickly as possible.

DTEI has advised that a number of the above recommendations are progressing in a manner that will enable thorough consultation with staff to occur in the very near future.

In relation to the Infrastructure Capability Allowance and the development of an agency professional engineer classification, the Chief Executive had previously advised that Public Sector Workforce Relations (PSWR) of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet would be asked to consider these two particular recommendations.

At Wednesday's meeting, the PSA was informed PSWR's consideration included the statement: "To the extent these matters remain an issue following the implementation of the administrative arrangements, these may inform future enterprise bargaining."

The PSA will continue to advocate, both within DTEI and Government, that the recruitment and retention of Engineers is paramount, and all avenues of maintaining appropriate numbers  of Engineers as well as attractive remuneration and employment conditions must be secured and maintained to secure DTEI as an employer of choice within the Public Sector.

18 April 2011