Community Living Award: proposed restructure of Accommodation Services

In early February, PSA members working in Accommodation Services received a Circular from the Department which provided details on a proposal for a restructure aimed at reinstating a manager position in each group home and respite unit.

The proposal also contained details of the establishments of Business Support Units and Staff Resource Units.

The PSA was concerned about some of the information contained in this Circular as it did not accurately reflect the negotiations that had been occurring to date between the PSA and the Department.

The PSA lodged a dispute in the Industrial Relations Commission which forced the Department to reconvene the negotiations with the PSA.

Over the past month there have been extensive discussions involving PSA delegates and DADHC. Some significant compromises have been made by the Department as a result of these discussions. Those included:

• the removal of the barrier between Level 1 and Level 2 DSW;
• internal advertisement for new positions in the first instance;
• removal of four hours shifts;
• proposed Practice Support Co-ordinator positions to be permanent.

Whilst there was acknowledgement of the benefits of the changes made by the Department to its original proposal, there still remains an impact of displacing over 400 members. Network Managers would be made redundant and RSW 3s, if not successful in obtaining a Team Leader position, would have the option of taking a redundancy or having their salaries reduced by approximately $15,000 p.a.

New staff coming into the Department would start at a salary rate lower than what the current Award entitlement provides.

These considerations were critical in the deliberation of the delegates and in that regard the delegates have voted unanimously to reject the Department's proposal.

Members should be aware that whilst the PSA delegates are supportive of the move to re-establish positions of Managers in the Units, a proposal to do this at the expense of hundreds of members is not supported.

To reiterate: The PSA DADHC Departmental Committee Delegates have today voted unanimously to reject the Department's proposed restructure of Accommodation Services.

For further information please contact your Organiser or Industrial Officer at the PSA on (02) 9220 0968.