Late on 17/12/07, the PSA notified the Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) of a dispute pursuant to Clause 23 of the South Australian Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2006.

The PSA is aware that on 3 November 2007, the Deputy Chief Executive issued a directive to the Sustainability and Workforce Management Team, which stated that employees will no longer be granted leave without pay to take up temporary employment opportunities outside the public sector. This directive has since been forwarded onto employees.

Such a directive is contrary to current Government policy. Additionally, Commissioner's Standard 3, Attachment D "Special Leave Without Pay" specifically anticipates employment outside the public sector.

Furthermore, in the 2004 Report of the Office for the Commissioner for Public Employment Review there were a number of recommendations endorsed by Cabinet, including Recommendations 30 and 31 which specifically suggested temporary external employment as a method of developing skills and experience within the State Government.

The PSA wrote to DPC on 23 November 2007 demanding the above directive be withdrawn immediately.  The Agency's response of 5 December 2007 fails to address the matter.

It is unacceptable that members within DPC are denied provisions that are provided to the wider public sector.  Furthermore, the PSA cannot allow members at all levels not being provided the opportunity to develop skills and experience outside the public sector, without putting their ongoing public sector employment at risk.

As a result of the PSA notifying a dispute, the status quo existing immediately prior to the matter giving rise to the dispute will remain. In other words, the directive of the Deputy Chief executive cannot be enforced.

The PSA will keep members informed of progress. Should you have any queries, please contact PSA Senior Industrial Officer Ian D. Peak on ian@cpsu.asn.au or 8205 3294.

PSA WORKING FOR YOU

19 December 2007