On Friday, 17 August, the Public Service Association (PSA) notified the Chief Executive of the Department for Families and Communities (DFC) of two separate disputes within Housing SA.

1. Flexi-time – Housing employees

The PSA is aware the DFC's flexi-time policy does not contain specific information contained in Appendix 2.3 (saved clause) of the South Australian Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2006, that states:

“Housing employees: the current flexi-time arrangements in discrete Housing areas will remain in place.”

DFC has been made well aware that the 'areas' referred to in the above saved clause include staff formerly employed in the SAHT, SACHA, AHA and all Housing areas in the Riverside Centre that dealt with SAHT business.

The PSA is aware of a number of instances where staff have been denied access to the saved clause provisions. The PSA finds this total disregard for these arrangements unacceptable and has demanded that the appropriate policy be distributed immediately and honoured.

2. Service Delivery Review

The PSA has continued to express concern regarding the lack of genuine consultation in relation to the Service Delivery Review. Clause 22 of the current Enterprise Bargaining Agreement states:

“Consultation involves the sharing of information and exchange of views between employers and persons or bodies that must be consulted and the genuine opportunity for them to contribute effectively to any decision making process.”

It is abundantly clear that Housing SA are not adhering to this provision. It is unacceptable that implementation of a new structure proceeds when basic consultative principles are not adhered to. Failure to consult represents a breach of the consultative provisions.

The PSA will continue to raise issues on behalf of DFC members, and will keep members informed of the progress of this dispute.

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact PSA Industrial Officer Vanessa Ravenhill on vr@cpsu.asn.au or 8205 3251.

PSA WORKING FOR YOU

17 August 2007