News Flash

CPSU/PSA SECURES GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT TO MOVE TO STATE IR JURISDICTION.

The Howard Government’s Industrial Relations changes will negatively impact on education workers. At the expiration of the current Federal Certified Agreement, current class sizes, NIT, leadership and administration time, PAC, behaviour management resource allocations, transfer and placement, and numerous other matters may not be able to be protected by an Industrial Agreement under the new Federal Industrial Relations system.

The CPSU/PSA sought to have this Enterprise Agreement registered in the State jurisdiction. This has now been recognised by all parties as appropriate in the circumstances.

Late last year a commitment was made by State Industrial Relations, Minister Michael Wright that ‘the State Government will do everything it can to ensure South Australian education workers are protected from the Federal Industrial Relations legislation’.

An Enterprise Agreement in the South Australian industrial jurisdiction will mirror the current Federal Certified Agreement 2005, in all its terms and conditions. This will provide protection for the matters that will become ‘non allowable’ in any subsequent Certified Agreement under the Federal legislation. A State Enterprise Agreement would also allow access to the Industrial Relations Commission of South Australia and the provisions of the South Australian Fair Work Act which are now far superior in protecting workers’ rights to those of the Federal WorkChoices legislation.

In order to terminate the current Federal Certified Agreement and meet the approval process for a State Enterprise Agreement, the following steps are required:

1. DECS will issue a notice of intention to make an Enterprise Agreement.

2. A ballot of all employees will be conducted by DECS to terminate the Federal Certified Agreement and approve the State Enterprise Agreement.

3. If a valid majority of employees agree to the move, the Federal Certified Agreement will be terminated by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and the State Enterprise Agreement will be approved by the Industrial Relations Commission of South Australia.

Therefore, it is imperative for members to vote ‘Yes’ to terminate the Federal Certified Agreement and to approve the State Enterprise Agreement to ensure that education workers are afforded the protection of a State registered Enterprise Agreement.

A ballot will be conducted in a similar way to last year’s ballot by DECS. Formal instructions will be provided by DECS. Further information from the CPSU/PSA will precede the opening of the ballot.

If you have any questions or queries regarding this please contact Gayle Peak, Assistant Chief Industrial Officer on gp@cpsu.asn.au

Professional Division Email: professional@cpsu.asn.au

CPSU/PSA WORKING FOR YOU

8 February 2006