IRC HEARS CASE FOR INTERIM AWARD 30 September 2004

News Flash IRC HEARS CASE FOR INTERIM AWARD The PSA and Government today appeared before the Industrial Relations Commission regarding the long running wages and conditions dispute. The Full Bench earlier this month recommended that the parties attempt to negotiate a short term Enterprise Agreement which protected current entitlements, whilst allowing the Commission to determine the amount of salary increases to apply and extra paid maternity leave. The PSA has, over the past week, tried to negotiate such a short term Agreement, initially by proposing an Agreement to 31 October 2005 and when this was rejected by Government, an alternative short Agreement for six months. In view of the inability to reach a short Agreement, as recommended by the Commission, PSA yesterday requested the Commission to reconvene in order to deal with the application for an interim Award to take effect from 1 October 2004. Today, the Government acknowledged that there was little likelihood of a short term Agreement being negotiated, but also opposed the making of an interim Award. Government did, however, state that in the event that the Commission did make an Award, any interim payment should be no more than 3% and that there should be no increase to paid maternity leave. Government also raised concerns with the continuation of the clause relating to the Memorandum of Understanding within the Award, and has been given until 5.00pm today to provide any further written submissions to the Commission on this matter. The Full Bench has reserved its decision, which it is expected to deliver in the near future, in recognition of the significance of 1 October 2004 as an operative date. A PSA Worksite Representatives meeting has been scheduled for 12.30pm tomorrow, Friday 1 October 2004 to provide a full report. A regional Worksite Representatives phone link-up is scheduled for 2.30pm tomorrow. For enquiries contact Chief Industrial Officer, Peter Christopher on 8205 3200 or email: pgc@cpsu.asn.au PSA CAMPAIGNING FOR A BETTER DEAL 30 September 2004

IRC HEARS CASE FOR INTERIM AWARD

The PSA and Government today appeared before the Industrial Relations Commission regarding the long running wages and conditions dispute.

The Full Bench earlier this month recommended that the parties attempt to negotiate a short term Enterprise Agreement which protected current entitlements, whilst allowing the Commission to determine the amount of salary increases to apply and extra paid maternity leave.

The PSA has, over the past week, tried to negotiate such a short term Agreement, initially by proposing an Agreement to 31 October 2005 and when this was rejected by Government, an alternative short Agreement for six months.

In view of the inability to reach a short Agreement, as recommended by the Commission, PSA yesterday requested the Commission to reconvene in order to deal with the application for an interim Award to take effect from 1 October 2004.

Today, the Government acknowledged that there was little likelihood of a short term Agreement being negotiated, but also opposed the making of an interim Award. Government did, however, state that in the event that the Commission did make an Award, any interim payment should be no more than 3% and that there should be no increase to paid maternity leave. Government also raised concerns with the continuation of the clause relating to the Memorandum of Understanding within the Award, and has been given until 5.00pm today to provide any further written submissions to the Commission on this matter.

The Full Bench has reserved its decision, which it is expected to deliver in the near future, in recognition of the significance of 1 October 2004 as an operative date.

A PSA Worksite Representatives meeting has been scheduled for 12.30pm tomorrow, Friday 1 October 2004 to provide a full report. A regional Worksite Representatives phone link-up is scheduled for 2.30pm tomorrow.

For enquiries contact Chief Industrial Officer, Peter Christopher on 8205 3200

or email: pgc@cpsu.asn.au

PSA CAMPAIGNING FOR A BETTER DEAL

30 September 2004