Proposed relocation of Wollongong Office of Fair Trading (OFT)

Executive, 28 July 2008

Report adopted

Members employed at the Wollongong OFT recently made contact because of concern that the Department was proceeding with a proposed move of the office to be co-located elsewhere in Wollongong with the Consumer, Tenancy and Trader Tribunal (CTTT).

No fixed date for the move has been set but there has been a distinct lack of proper staff consultation with only one hastily convened meeting about the issue. Following that meeting, staff submitted an extensive list of issues for consideration. There has been no response to those issues.

A meeting of members was conducted at which delegates were elected to represent the members in any future meetings with management. Following the meeting, correspondence with the Department was initiated and included a list of issues:

• Physical layout of FTC as per sketch plan - corridor layout.
• Proposed location of FTC area between CTTT area and hearing rooms.
• Ambient noise with the proposed FTC layout.
• OH&S risks and privacy issues relating to the front counter layout.
• Storage area appears to be grossly inadequate.
• As per current sketch plan the combined staff amenities are perceived to be entirely inadequate for both FTC and CTTT.
• Inadequate provision for workplace adjustments for staff with disabilities.

A further meeting of members will be convened and the situation closely monitored.

Following the Association's intervention advice has been received that membership at the office has significantly increased.