On 29 March 2007, PSA President Lindsay Oxlad and Industrial Officer Josie Barbaro attended the inaugural meeting of the Shared Services Reform Workforce Consultative Group (WCG). This will be the peak body which will discuss employee issues associated with the reform process. Other members of the WCG include;

Rick Persse, Executive Director, Shared Services Reform Office (SSRO)

Kate Stephens, Manager, Workforce Relations, SSRO

Erma Ranieri, General Manager HR, PIRSA

Denis Patriarca, Director Business Services, SAPOL

Bill Cinnamond, Manager, Workforce Strategy, PSWD

As this was the inaugural meeting, discussions were general and focused on how consultation on Shared Services would be most effective. A progress report was also provided. The data and information gathering process is continuing with the SSRO wanting to ensure this provides a sound basis for decision making.

In addition to this peak body, there was an acknowledgment of the need for more local consultative mechanisms to keep employees informed throughout the reform process, through to implementation and review. The involvement of staff will be crucial to the success of any future reform. The PSA will continue to keep members informed throughout the process and welcomes feedback and queries which can then be raised with the WCG. Other issues which were discussed included;

• Data collection process and the verification of data

• Comparisons and information collected from interstate experiences

• Feedback from agency briefings for staff

It is proposed the WCG will meet monthly, and certainly more information will become available as the reform process progresses. Further information can also be obtained from the SSRO's website which can be found at http://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/ssro/index.html

Please contact Industrial Officer Josie Barbaro if you have any queries on ph: 8205 3295, or by email to: jxb@cpsu.asn.au

30 March 2007