Public Service Association members continue to express grave concerns that people with disabilities continue to suffer unnecessarily because services are not available.

In a letter to the PSA last week, Chief Executive Sue Vardon conceded that Disability SA will review all service delivery position vacancies to contain current cost pressures.

This situation is not regrettable as described by the CE in todays edition of the Advertiser. Rather, it is shameful, that the most vulnerable in our community are not being provided the support and care they are entitled to, due to budget constraints. South Australian lives cannot be put at risk to save a few dollars.

PSA members across Disability SA are experiencing atrocious workloads as a result of a number of vacancies having not been filled.

Yesterday (27 March 2007) at Southern Region, members unanimously endorsed the following motion:

To ensure that no member will experience an unreasonable workload the following Occupational, Health, Safety and Welfare measures will be implemented from the 28 March 2007.

1. Commonwealth, State and Territory agreement/client management engine activities; members will no longer provide the necessary data for management to support Disability SA access to CSTDA and Health & Community Care funding

2. A range of administrative duties will not be done; including filing, changing over of filing cabinets, spreadsheet for vehicle mileage, major unpacking of stationery, laminating and photocopying, and utilising the answering machine to cover lunch breaks.

3. Service agreement renewals; members will no longer complete service agreement to continue the current brokered service.

4. Referrals and new clients; members will not accept any referrals or new clients. Phone calls from new referrals and new clients will be forwarded to the Department of Families and Communities office.

The PSA has continually sought commitments from DFC that vacancies within Disability SA be filled immediately.

It is unacceptable that members are exposed to unreasonable workloads as a result of Management's failure to provide and maintain a safe and healthy working environment.

For further enquiries, contact PSA Acting Assistant Chief Industrial Officer Ian Peak 8205 3288 or email: ian@cpsu.asn.au

28 March 2007