The Public Service Association (PSA) regularly attends the Industrial Relations Forum and the Community Services Industrial Liaison Sub-Committee for Disabilities SA(DSA). The PSA is also a participant in the Department for Families & Communities(DFC) industrial forum that meets bi-monthly, which discusses more strategic matters that affect the department as a whole.

The purpose of the Industrial Forum (ILF) and the Community Services Industrial Liaison Sub-Committee is to provide consultative forums between DSA management and the recognised unions, PSA, ANF, SASMOA and LHMU. Input from members is a vital part of the process and enables workplace issues to be raised and improvements to take place in your work site.

There are a number of PSA Representative vacancies, particularly on the Community Services Sub-Committee. PSA members who are interested in participating in this forum please contact Industrial Officer Sue Cummins on email sc@cpsu.asn.au

At the last meetings of the above forums the following items were discussed:

• CONTRACTS OF TRAINING – Ms Annette Kirby, the Dean of the DFC College for Learning & Development gave an overview on contracts of training, and future directions for training opportunities within DSA. DSA Directors will be meeting with Ms Kirby shortly to discuss future directions in training for staff in the service coordination areas.

• DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATOR CLASSIFICATION – The PSA raised concerns that DSA had recently authorised 15 staff to commence the Flinders University Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies yet still have not agreed that the degree is becoming an essential requirement for specific positions. DSA Executive Director, Lynn Young, reported that the review had been finalised and is now being discussed with Executive. DSA are currently developing documentation and will be commencing consultation with the Developmental Educator Group and the PSA shortly.

• OPS/PO CLASSIFICATION - At the last HR Task Force Committee Meeting in late 2007 it was agreed that once the transition of staff to the new DSA Structure was completed, that discussions would commence with the PSA in relation to Service Coordinators. These members were classified within the Operational Services Stream (in particularly staff who were originally employed by APN and BIOC) but do have professional qualifications. These qualifications are essential to be able to carry out the duties of the positions. Therefore, these employees would meet the criteria to be classified as Professional Officers (eg Social Workers, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, or Clinical Psychologists). The PSA will be commencing these discussions this week. If PSA members believe they fall into the above category please contact Industrial Officer Sue Cummins via email on sc@cpsu.asn.au

• ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW – The PSA raised concerns about the delay in the commencement of this review, as there are resource and classification issues that have not been resolved. DSA advised that there were difficulties obtaining a suitable resource, but this has now been addressed and the Reviewer will now commence in late April. A draft Terms of Reference will be tabled at the next Community Services Sub-Committee Meeting in May.

• SERVICE COORDINATION WORKLOAD REVIEW – The Working Group set up to develop a draft Terms of Reference, has agreed that a review of work definitions and job descriptors for Services Coordinators needed to be undertaken prior to any decisions regarding the assessment of workloads. The PSA raised concerns that whilst the review of the Service Coordinator role was currently being undertaken, further delays may occur if there was no agreed Terms of Reference for the Workload Review. It was agreed that the Working Group will reconvene to develop a draft to be tabled at the next Sub-Committee Meeting.

• MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT PANEL (MAP) REVIEW - There has been a Reference Group established. There are a number of agencies involved but ODACS are leading this review and a Project Officer has been appointed for three months. Terms of Reference for this review will be tabled at the next Sub-Committee Meeting.

• IDS AWARD – SA Government Wages Parity (Weekly Paid) Enterprise Agreement 2007 – Clause 20 – Disability Services Officers Review has been completed. Date of translation into the new structure will be from 1 April 2008. The PSA raised concerns regarding Shift Supervisors years of service not being taken into account in translation. It has now been agreed that Shift Supervisors will translate into the new structure having regard to the number of years that they have worked as a Shift Supervisor (that is, their service will count towards incremental credit). Public Sector Workforce Division (PSWD) are in the process of preparing and lodging draft orders with the Industrial Relations Commission of SA, seeking an award variation to implement the Clause 20 Review outcomes as agreed.

If you have any queries or wish to raise any concerns please contact
Industrial Officer Sue Cummins on email sc@cpsu.asn.au or phone 8205 3260.

PSA WORKING FOR MEMBERS