News Flash

---

Implementation of New Professional Structure

PSA and Government officers from Public Sector Workforce Relations (PSWR) of Department of Premier and Cabinet, met on Monday January 15^th 2007 to continue discussions about the translation and implementation of the new Professional Officers and Medical Scientists structures in the South Australian Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2006, which was certified in the South Australian Industrial Relations Commission on the 21^st December 2006.

PAY INCREASE

The new pay rates are applicable from the first full pay period on or after 1^st October 2006. Translation occurs on a point to point basis, eg 2^nd increment PSO2 ($57413) to 2^nd increment PO2 ($61065) with the incremental date remaining the same, eg movement to PO2 3^rd increment ($63394) being the same incremental date.

PS01 → PO1

Employees who were at the top increment (6^th) PSO1 ($51,874) at 30^th September 2006, translate to the 6^th increment PO1 ($54,855). They should then progress to the 7^th increment ($57,846) on 1/10/07. That is, after 12 months at the 6^th increment and the manager certifying their competence, they will progress to the 7^th level. That will be a once off only for that group of employees.

Employees at 5^th increment PSO1 on 1^st October, 2006 will translate to PO1, 5^th increment. The PSA position is that these employees retain their incremental date, and so are assessed and move to 6^th increment on their incremental date. The criteria for working 12 months at level 5 is achieved by including the period of time spent at PSO1 level 5.

In future, employees after reaching the 5^th increment PO1, will progress after 12 months using the same process, as outlined for PO1 - 6^th increment.

PSWR will be meeting with Human Resources (HR) Managers from agencies to ensure there is an easy process which includes the manager's certification, prior to the 12 months, so that progression occurs at 12 months, without delay.

MANAGEMENT ALLOWANCE

Managers previously MPSI, MPS2 and MPS3 will translate to top increment of level 3,4 and 5, plus be paid the managerial allowance. For example MPS1 will translate to top increment PO3 plus $1,750 management allowance, (from $69,501 to $74,200).

CORRECT CLASSIFICATION

Some employees may now fulfill the criteria in the Work Level Definitions (WLDs) at a higher level on the basis of being Specialists, Managers or Advanced Practitioners. As the criteria came into effect on 1^st October 2006, it is not necessary for members to make personal application for reclassifications. It is a management responsibility to ensure that employees are correctly classified. If a member considers they are not, then an application for underpayment of wages can be made in the Industrial Court. It will ensure, if successful, back payment to 1^st October, 2006.

REVIEW

The PSA's agreement to the new WLDs was based on providing members with improved career paths. The WLDs and processes will be reviewed to ensure that the correct outcomes are being achieved.

POSITION INFORMATION DOCUMENTS (PIDs)

The new PO classification structure criteria will not include the PIDs nor career group definitions previously contained in the Professional Services Stream, Classification Standards Manual. Classifications will now be determined by the WLDs only. The new structure has new WLDs for each classification level. The previous structure's classification criteria consisted of WLDs as per the SA Public Sector Salaried Employees (Interim) Award (1994) and the Medical Scientists Award. PIDs were developed as examples of jobs classified at each level. For the Professional Stream, 5 Career Group Definitions for each of the 5 Levels were also published. The Career Group Definitions and the published PIDs will no longer apply, as the WLDs, against which they were originally developed, have now been overridden by the new WLDs in the 2006 Enterprise Agreement.

DENTISTS

The PSA raised the issue of Dentists, where a management initiated claim, supported by DOH, was not agreed to by PSWR. The PSA will pursue this matter.

For enquiries contact Ian D Peak, Acting Assistant Chief Industrial Officer on ian@cpsu.asn.au