Senior PSA Officials
have been involved in a variety of meetings resulting from the State
Budget last week. PSA officials involved in these meetings were
President Lindsay Oxlad, General Secretary Jan McMahon, Assistant
General Secretary Nev Kitchin and Chief Industrial Officer Peter
Christopher.
This report provides a summary of activities for the benefit of all PSA
members. More detailed information has of course been provided
directly to affected members.
The PSA has met with Minister Jay Weatherill who has confirmed the
Government's commitment to no redundancies and also confirmed that no
TVSPs were proposed. The Minister also confirmed that changes
would occur over the 4 year term of the Government. The PSA
identified initial concerns and processes necessary to protect members,
including improved training and redeployment.
A meeting has been held with Minister Carmel Zollo regarding the new
Corrections facilities announced in the Budget. While welcoming
the allocation of funding for three new prisons, the PSA has identified
significant concerns with attracting and retaining staff to work at
Murray Bridge, the site of two new prisons. In the event that the
prisons are opened at Murray Bridge the PSA identified the need for
improved community services including health, education and employment
opportunities for the many families who may be located there.
Initial meetings have been held with a number of Chief Executives - the
Under Treasurer Jim Wright, Mr Jim Hallion (DTEI) and Dr Tony Sherbon
(Health). Further meetings are expected with several other Chief
Executives in the near future.
Key outcomes from these meetings have been that while DAIS and OPE are
to be abolished, all staff and their functions will report to new Chief
Executives with no initial changes to duties and with full protection
of all entitlements. Formal gazettal is yet to occur but it is
expected that this will be with effect from 1 October 2006.
The Under Treasurer has also advised that Government has not yet
determined the model or timing for the introduction of Shared Services
across the Public Sector. He did confirm that in line with
Government undertakings to the PSA that there would be no outsourcing
of those areas which will become Shared Services.
Ongoing consultation will occur through several committees to be
established to deal specifically with matters arising from the Budget,
consistent with the employer's formal obligation to consult with the
PSA.
PSA staff and officials are continuing to visit worksites, and ongoing information will be provided to members.
Members with particular issues or concerns should contact their PSA Industrial Officer or send details by email to psalist@cpsu.asn.au.
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