News Flash

PSA Industrial Officers Michael Thorpe and Ian Peak attended the 2nd consultative meeting with officers from the DPTI and SA Health on Wednesday 24th November 2011. The other unions who attend these meetings are Communications, Electrical, Electronics, Plumbing & Allied Services Union (CEPU), Australian Workers Union Amalgamated State Union (AWUSA), Ambulance Employees Association of SA (AEA), Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU), Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) and United Voice. Prior to the meeting the PSA had requested that the following items be included on the agenda.

Time frame for roll out across each site to be incorporated into AGFMA
Transition Principles which include, but not limited to:

        -   definition of staff deemed to be in scope
        -   definition of staff deemed to be “trades”
        -   definition of staff not included in “trades”
        -   appeal provisions
        -   incentives
        -   no disadvantage provisions
        -   continuation of Salary Packaging Provisions

At this meeting most of the trades unions expressed their concern that this was a form of outsourcing because of the planned use of “spotless” to provide services previously provided in-house by government employees through SA Health.

PSA had previously expressed this concern. PSA was advised that most of the functions being undertaken by PSA's area of coverage (i.e. PSA members) would not be outsourced by DPTI to Spotless.

PSA had stated that its members should stay employed by SA Health, and provide services at the same sites even though managed by DPTI.

DPTI advised that this was certainly an option.
At this stage there was very little to report from DPTI representatives.

SA Health representatives made no comment at this meeting and appeared to be in attendance in the role of observers. PSA stated that SA Health should be advising its staff of what is planned. This may assist in alleviating concerns.

DPTI advised that due to the unique nature of health, and health facilities, there was still lots of planning that needed to be done. Four working parties have been established:

        1.  Due Diligence
        2.  Human Resources\Industrial Relations
        3.  Service Model
        4.  Information Technology

These working parties are to report to this consultative group. No reports were available for this meeting.

PSA expressed concern that there was not involvement with “coal face” staff on these working groups. There are many unanswered questions at this stage. DPTI advised that this is because they do not have the answers at present.

The proposed transition to DPTI is to be rolled out, over 2 years by sites one by one. So far DPTI could not advise the order of the roll out, or confirm which site would transition first.
DPTI provided the link to the following AGFMA web site
http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/BuildingManagement/information_for_government_agencies

The next consultative meeting is planned for Wednesday 7th December 2011.

25 November 2011