In response to a motion passed by Crisis Response Unit (CRU) members calling on the Department to address critical failings, a meeting of CRU staff on Friday 12th September was addressed by the Families SA Chief Executive Beth Dunning and Deputy Chief Executive Steve Ramsay. Department for Familes and Communities Human Resources Manager Natalie Hamood also attended the meeting and PSA was represented by Industrial Officer Ken Smith.

Key issues raised by CRU members for resolution included a lack of resources, particularly arising from the imminent introduction of Structured Decision Making (SDM), unmanageable workloads, loss of pay from changes to the pay cycle and inadequate recruitment and retention policies.

The meeting heard that the Executive was sympathetic to the issues that had been raised and recognised them as being important and that they were affecting morale amongst members. The pay issue was regrettable but the matter had now been dealt with in the Industrial Commission and was closed. It was recognised that SDM would have significant workload implications and the process was under review. (SDM has now been delayed pending further consideration at Ministerial level).

With regard to recruitment and retention, everything possible was being done including searching for staff overseas, closer ties with Universities and a review of the Progression process.

The meeting included a forthright examination of the issues with members expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of resolution of the key issues, many of which have been over long periods of time. Many members spoke out telling of their frustration and the way that the lack of progress on fundamental matters was affecting their morale.

Members were advised that everything possible was being done. Detailed budget submissions were being prepared for the next State Budget and the government was being made fully aware of the realities of the situation that staff confronted every day.

The meeting provided a further exploration of the issues, but members were disappointed by the fact that little was resolved.

Members resolved to meet again to consider further action over the issues and to look at ways of involving members from other areas of the agency who are working in similarly unsatisfactory circumstances. A meeting for this purpose has been arranged for Friday 26 September.

Enquiries to PSA Industrial Officer Ken Smith on 8205 3231 or at ks@cpsu.asn.au