News Flash

The parties reported back to the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) on Wednesday 27 October 2010. Officers from the Department of Health, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Public Service Association and two PSA representatives attended the hearing. The PSA dispute highlighted the failure of DOH to consult with the PSA prior to it's decision to cut jobs from the program.

The IRC had recommended on October 13 that “SA Health will conduct a meeting with the PSA with the following objectives in mind;
    1) To provide the PSA with a more detailed explanation as to why the cuts to the     programme were initiated and;
    2) To provide an opportunity for the PSA and it's representatives to exchange their     views with SA Health regarding the planned reduction of FTE in the Do It For Life     Program.
That a senior member from SA Health, who was involved in the decision to reduce the number of FTE's and has a firm understanding of the program, will attend the meeting.
The parties will reconvene in the Commission on Wednesday 27 October 2010 at 9.30am”

Consequently PSA Industrial Officer Ian Peak and PSA representative members met with Michelle Herriot, Director Health Promotion Branch and Nino DiSisto Director Country Health SA on 18 October 2010.

Notes of this meeting and a subsequent letter from Michelle Herriot to the PSA outlining the rational for DOH's decision to redirect funding from the Do It For Life program was forwarded by the PSA to members for their comments.

In the IRC the PSA stated that it's members welcomed the information that had now been provided as it assisted them to understand the decision making process. The point was made that this was still not genuine consultation, merely an explanation. Consultation should occur prior to any decision being made. Members did however accept managements assurances that if in the future there is a significant increase in Client Participation then resources may be increased to match demand.

There was a commitment given by DOH that employees and the PSA will participate in forums where ongoing information will be disclosed. Further consultation will be required to determine what the new staffing ratio will be and where staff will be located. Consultation will also commence on the HR principles to govern the change process.
The PSA raised a number of potential problems. The Commissioner will keep the file open enabling PSA to seek the IRC's intervention if needed.