Graduating Trainee Correctional Services Officers, in a move widely condemned by the PSA and its members, have been forced to sign 1-5 year contracts after completion of their 12 month traineeship.

The Department for Correctional Services (DCS) is using the contracts to force Officers completing their traineeship into accepting term contracts of employment for the purpose of forcing them to go to Murray Bridge or lose their jobs. Officers already located at Mobilong have also been offered the term contracts to ensure, that should the New Prison go ahead at its proposed location, they may be forced to staff the new institution or not have their term contracts renewed.

The PSA has condemned the move by DCS, as many of the Officers completing their traineeship have made career and life decisions based on the offer of permanency and at no stage prior to induction had any of these Officers been made aware of the term contracts.

The implementation of the term contracts contradicts the long standing previous agreement regarding conditions of employment for graduating Correctional Services Officers. In breaching this agreement, and in doing so without appropriate consultation, DCS have unilaterally breached the terms outlined in Clause 22; Consultative Processes as contained in the SA Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2006.

The PSA has instructed DCS to withdraw its position immediately or the matter will be forwarded to the SA Industrial Relations Commission. The PSA is surprised and disappointed that DCS has offered the term contracts removing tenor and security from future conditions of employment for Correctional Services Officers.

The PSA will continue to campaign against the proposed location of the New Prison and will fight to ensure future Correctional Officers are given ongoing employment. It is essential that prospective Correctional Officers are fully informed of the nature of the term contracts before committing to the job. The PSA supports investment, growth and development at Mobilong Prison and in the region, however the PSA does not support centralising Correctional Services in the region and will not support the use of term contracts for Correctional Officers.

Please contact PSA Industrial Officer, Wayne Dungey should you have any questions or comments on 8205 3238 or email wkd@cpsu.asn.au