News Flash

WORKCHOICES - AWARD REVIEW TASKFORCE

The Federal Government has established an Award Review Taskforce to manage the transition to the new Federal Industrial Relations system.

The Taskforce is being overseen by Australian Industrial Relations Commission Deputy President, Matthew O'Callaghan.

The main objectives of the Taskforce are to make recommendations to the Government on:

• Award Rationalisation, and

• Rationalisation of Award Wages and Classification Structures

Like the parliamentary debate and scrutiny of the Workchoices Act, the work of the Taskforce is being rushed through a very tight schedule, despite dealing with complex issues and lengthy documents covering a range of detailed workplace arrangements.

A discussion paper was distributed in December last year, with submissions due on 31 January 2006. It appears from this paper, many of the issues have been predetermined and the consultation will be a superficial process.

The CPSU (SPSF) Federal Office is compiling a submission with State Branches on behalf of members. The ACTU will also be making a submission.

The PSA will continue to lobby to protect members' conditions of employment and keep members informed of implications of the Federal Industrial Relations Changes.

For enquiries phone Chief Industrial Officer Peter Christopher on 8205 3220

or email: pgc@cpsu.asn.au

PSA Professional Division: professional@cpsu.asn.au

25 January 2006