SHARED SERVICES UPDATE 12 June 2008

SHARED SERVICES UPDATE
WORKFORCE CONSULTATIVE MEETING

On Wednesday 11 June 2008, Public Service Association (PSA) President Lindsay Oxlad and Industrial Officer Simon Johnson attended a meeting of the Shared Services SA (SSSA) Workforce Consultative Group (WCG). Shared Services SA Representatives provided the WCG with the following update:

Group 1B transition
Group 1B Agencies will commence transitioning in 4 weeks time (ie weekend of 12/13 July 2008).
Other Group 1B agencies will transition each weekend until 4 August 2008. Each affected employee will be provided with a letter and a fact sheet from Shared Services advising of their transition arrangements.

Employee Briefing Sessions
Final employee briefing sessions for Group 1B will commence on 12 June 2008. The PSA will be present at these sessions.

Regional Redeployment
The Regional Liaison Group will be meeting next week on 19 June 2008. This group comprises of Human Resources Directors and Managers. The purpose of this group is to discuss possible employment opportunities for displaced employees. As a commitment has been given that no regional employee will be forced to relocate, it is the employer's responsibility to locate suitable employment. Shared Services Representatives advised that a database has been established containing all current vacancies across all Agencies to enable facilitation between Departments. The PSA is committed to ensuring that this process has the full commitment of all Agency Chief Executives.

Organisational Structure
Shared Services SA Representatives have advised that affected employees will transition into an interim structure which will largely reflect current working arrangements. However, in the future, Shared Services has confirmed that a restructure will commence to further review business operations. The PSA is concerned that employees will be subject to further restructuring following their transition across to Shared Services SA. The PSA views further restructures as a further cost cutting measure to meet budget requirement.

In relation to the filling of vacancies, Shared Services SA advised that it is obligated to meeting its requirements as outlined in Commissioner's Standard 2 (Quality Staffing). Additionally, Shared Services SA insists that it is actively pursuing workforce strategies that minimise future redeployee numbers as a result of further restructuring.

Whilst meetings of the WCG provide purely operational updates on the Shared Services Project, there are clearly outstanding matters of concern such as salary sacrifice arrangements and Human Resources Principles. The PSA continues to vigorously oppose Shared Services SA's position on these matters.

Should you have any queries please contact PSA Industrial Officer Simon Johnson on 8205 3261 or e-mail spj@cpsu.asn.au.

PSA MEMBERS WHO STAND TOGETHER, WIN TOGETHER

12 June 2008