GOVERNMENT TOLD TO GET IT'S FACTS RIGHT 26 July 2004

News Flash GOVERNMENT TOLD TO GET IT'S FACTS RIGHT Recently the Government distributed a “Fact Sheet” for the Wages Parity Ballot. This document was both wrong and totally misleading. Consequently, on 13 July 2004 the PSA wrote to DAIS Public Sector Workforce Relations demanding that a corrected advice be issued to all applicable employees immediately. DAIS wrote back to the PSA advising that it did not agree with the Association's point of view and subsequently the PSA was left with no alternative but to seek the assistance of the South Australian Industrial Relations Commission to ensure that employees be provided with correct information by their employer in this process. On Friday 23 July 2004 Commissioner Doyle of the South Australian Industrial Relations Commission recommended the following: (Note that the full text of Commissioner Doyle's recommendation is available here.) 1. “That the Government amend its advice to its employees that in principle agreement has not been reached on nearly all of the matters included in the proposed agreement. This recommendation is based on the terms of PSA correspondence to the Government dated 26 May 2004. 2. That the Government amend its advice to it employees to take into account the Commission's views on the issue of the security of employment matter. 3. The Government liaise with the PSA to put in place flexible arrangements to allow maximum participation at briefing sessions conducted by the PSA at work sites where members do not have access to electronic messaging facilities. The Commission understands that such flexible arrangements may require employees to be present at such briefing sessions during their normal hours of work. 4. The PSA is to forward a communication to its members which notifies them that previous advice dated 22 July 2004 with respect to the quantum of the on call allowances has been clarified with the government and that a 3.5% increase will apply with effect from 12 October 2004”. To explain Recommendation 2 above, the Commission stated: “On the question of the security of employment issue it is the Commission's view that this is selective editorial to say the least”. The issue of job security is in no way affected by employees not supporting the current Government offer. 26 July 2004 Any enquiries to PSA Chief Industrial Officer Peter Chrsitopher on 8205 3200 or at pgc@cpsu.asn.au *VOTE NO* FOR WAGE JUSTICE**

GOVERNMENT TOLD TO GET IT'S FACTS RIGHT

Recently the Government distributed a “Fact Sheet” for the Wages Parity Ballot. This document was both wrong and totally misleading.

Consequently, on 13 July 2004 the PSA wrote to DAIS Public Sector Workforce Relations demanding that a corrected advice be issued to all applicable employees immediately.

DAIS wrote back to the PSA advising that it did not agree with the Association's point of view and subsequently the PSA was left with no alternative but to seek the assistance of the South Australian Industrial Relations Commission to ensure that employees be provided with correct information by their employer in this process.

On Friday 23 July 2004 Commissioner Doyle of the South Australian Industrial Relations Commission recommended the following:

(Note that the full text of Commissioner Doyle's recommendation is available here.)

   1.      “That the Government amend its advice to its employees that in principle agreement has not been reached on nearly all of the matters included in the proposed agreement. This recommendation is based on the terms of PSA correspondence to the Government dated 26 May 2004.

   2.      That the Government amend its advice to it employees to take into account the Commission's views on the issue of the security of employment matter.

   3.      The Government liaise with the PSA to put in place flexible arrangements to allow maximum participation at briefing sessions conducted by the PSA at work sites where members do not have access to electronic messaging facilities. The Commission understands that such flexible arrangements may require employees to be present at such briefing sessions during their normal hours of work.

   4.      The PSA is to forward a communication to its members which notifies them that previous advice dated 22 July 2004 with respect to the quantum of the on call allowances has been clarified with the government and that a 3.5% increase will apply with effect from 12 October 2004”.

To explain Recommendation 2 above, the Commission stated:

“On the question of the security of employment issue it is the Commission's view that this is selective editorial to say the least”.

The issue of job security is in no way affected by employees not supporting the current Government offer.

26 July 2004

Any enquiries to PSA Chief Industrial Officer Peter Chrsitopher on 8205 3200 or at pgc@cpsu.asn.au

VOTE *NO* FOR WAGE JUSTICE