News Flash

PSA has now received an offer in response to the EB 2006 claim. The full offer is available here.

Members will recall that the PSA claim sought:

• Salary increases of 5% pa from 1 October 2006, 2007 and 2008.

• Improvements to a number of employment conditions.

• Structural reform for Professionals, including Allied Health and Correctional Officers to deal with recruitment and retention difficulties. Details of translation for Professionals are here, Medical Scientists details here. and Government Funded Scientists here.

The Government offer provides for:

• Salary increases of 3.5% p.a. from the first pay day on or after 1 October 2006, 2007, 2008.

• A restructure for PSOs and an annual allowance for OPS 2 Correctional Officers who meet specified criteria, with effect from the first pay day on or after 1 October 2006

• Improvements to the following conditions:

- Paid Maternity and Adoption Leave increased to 14 weeks.

- Government will support legislation to allow for approval of Higher Duties without a minimum time requirement.

- Improved provisions where a meal break is not taken after 5 hours work.

- Review of regional provisions.

The offer reflects a positive development. The PSA has campaigned and negotiated for significant structural reform for Professionals, which has resulted in the proposed restructure. The revised Higher Duties arrangements will apply across all four streams – Administrative, Professional, Technical and Operational.

The PSA claim was developed in conjunction with members involving extensive surveys and research, and the offer reflects significant progress in respect to key areas of membership concern.

PSA will now arrange for worksite meetings, as well as for reports to Worksite Reps and PSA Council.

Subject to any final refinement the offer will be put to a ballot shortly. Subject to acceptance by ballot, salary increases will be backdated to the first pay day on or after 1 October 2006. The date of effect for increased paid maternity leave will be from when PSA advises it will support the offer.

(Peter Christopher, Chief Industrial Officer via Email: pgc@cpsu.asn.au or Phone: 8205 3220 or professional@cpsu.asn.au)