DADHC Restructure of Accommodation Services

Executive, 31 March 2008

Report adopted

Approximately 12 months ago the Department approached the PSA to commence negotiations on a restructure of its Accommodation Services with the aim of re-introducing a management position into each Group Home and Respite Unit (the position of House Manager was deleted by the Department three years ago and replaced with a Network Manager which was responsible for the management of 3 units).

The Department's proposal also included the establishment of Business Support Units and Staff Resource Units which would provide assistance to staff in the Units with rostering and auditing requirements. In early February this year, PSA members working in Accommodation Services received a Circular from the Department which provided details on these proposals.

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.

The revised proposal was put to the PSA last week and was subject to full and thorough consideration by the DADHC Departmental Committee delegates.

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 displaced and Level 3 Residential Support Workers, 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.

The PSA Executive will be kept informed of developments in this matter.