j2: 2014
DESCRIPTION
In our second edition for 2014 we welcome GA6! Voted in 2:1 by members the 3 year deal will see pay rises of 2.75%, 2.5% and 2.5% with no trade-offs. Plus all the latest campaign news and the relaunch of an old friend - the Save Our Services campaign is back.TRANSCRIPT
Print Post Approved: Post No 602 669/00351J2: 2014
+ CAMPAIGN UPDATES
All the latest from your active campaigns.
P8 SAVE OUR SERVICES With a fresh look and
renewed focus the Save Our Services campaign is back!
P10 MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCERemarkable members from across WA share their stories.
P6 YOUR GA6 IS HERE! Members voted and the
results are in - your GA6 is here!
3YRAGREEMENT3YR
AGREEMENT
BACKPAYto
13 JUNE 2014
FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY & PUBLIC SECTOR UNION/CIVIL SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF WA
The Journal is getting an upgrade.We say goodbye to print and hello to the 21st century.
14
Call us for an obligation free quote NOW
1300 738 601 www.fleetnetwork.com.au Lease Package Save
Fleet Network Pty Ltd *To qualify for this offer you must mention this advertisement to Fleet Network prior to the completion of your initial contract. Vehicle must be new and supplied by Fleet Network. Not valid in conjunction with any other current Fleet Network offers. Employees should consult their employer’s salary packaging policy before entering into a contract.
Use your salary wisely
Let the team at Fleet Network show you how to save thousands when buying your next new car. It’s all about using your pre-tax salary, and taking advantage of all the additional benefits only Fleet Network can offer.
It’s worth a call – it’s your salary, after all.
Your own dedicated Salary Packaging
specialist
Pay NO GST on your new car
purchase
Flexible Trade-in options
Pick the car you want...It’s your
choice
While stocks last.
Mention this advert prior to completing your contract and get a bonus GoPro HD Hero3 White Edition
Camera when your new vehicle is delivered!
Bonus!
Save with exclusive
National Fleet Discounts
NSW
Polic
e071
4
How much will you save?
TravelodgeHotels
cpsucsa.org/bene� ts
More than 64 dedicated retail and service partners, plus hundreds of discount off ers through ShopRite, Entertainment Book, Smart Club and Cash & Carry. Save money on mortgages, insurance, new cars, groceries, holiday accommodation, electrical items and much more!
How much will you save?
TravelodgeHotels
cpsucsa.org/bene� ts
More than 64 dedicated retail and service partners, plus hundreds of discount off ers through ShopRite, Entertainment Book, Smart Club and Cash & Carry. Save money on mortgages, insurance, new cars, groceries, holiday accommodation, electrical items and much more!
4 THE JOURNAL
contents
8 Save Our Services.Ready to relaunch in 2014 with a new look and fresh focus on 2017.
9 Social Impact Bonds.The story continues as Dept. of Corrective Services approaches Social Ventures Australia to talk plans.
10 Howzat! for indigenous cricket.
Matt Abrahamson (DoTAG) leads by example on and off the field.
11 Made to order.No two days, or mouths, are alike for dental technician James Burns.
12 Feeding the little children in the Kimberley.
Clint Durham (WAPOL, Broome) takes charity (and dinner) into his own hands.
18 35 years of unity and dedication.
Ann Smith (DCPFS) shares her stories from 35 years in the public sector.
20 Members come together to act on global issues.
Introducing Unionists for Refugees and the inspiring story of Rama, a former civil servant from Sri Lanka.
BAGS FULL OF BENEFITSSave with 60+ deals and discount offers on everything from dining out to travel, white goods to new cars.
cpsucsa.org/benefits
OTHER FEATURES14 The Journal is getting an
upgrade.
16 Members shine in leadership awards
17 Community rallies behind DSC petition
Truck tests off the rails
19 Review highlights cracks in State Budget
22 Safety review slow to progress.
23 Award winners and upcoming awards
Privatisation pitfalls compromise TAFE education
Members go green at work
DCPFS workload review
REGULARS24 Legal Q&A
5 things to know about social media defamation
25 While you're waiting
More than 20 professional development and lifestyle courses to choose from.
Book online: cpsucsa.org/training
6 Your GA6Members voted 2:1 and the results are in - your GA6 is here!
Editorial
Print Post Approved: Post No 602 669/00351J2: 2014
+ CAMPAIGN UPDATES
All the latest from your active campaigns.
P8 SAVE OUR SERVICES With a fresh look and
renewed focus the Save Our Services campaign is back!
P10 MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCERemarkable members from across WA share their stories.
P6 YOUR GA6 IS HERE! Members voted and the
results are in - your GA6 is here!
3YRAGREEMENT3YR
AGREEMENT
BACKPAYto
13 JUNE 2014
FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY & PUBLIC SECTOR UNION/CIVIL SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF WA
The Journal is getting an upgrade.We say goodbye to print and hello to the 21st century.
14
As most of you would know we have just emerged from an intense and tough General Agreement 6 campaign where members voted 2:1 in favour of accepting the latest pay offer from the Barnett Government.
Negotiations were conducted in a challenging environment against an arrogant government that was not prepared to budge from its new wages policy.
The government was intent on removing job security provisions from the General Agreement and this was only stopped through the industrial action of our members.
Members should feel proud of this achievement.
Since the government was re-elected last year the public sector has been subjected to a very clear anti-public service agenda of the likes we have not seen in Western Australia since the 1990s.
The State Government’s Workforce Reform Bill was also passed in this period and we are now faced with the introduction of forced redundancies in the WA public sector.
The State’s power to implement forced redundancies will not come into effect until the government has gone through the process of consulting with stakeholders, then drafting and finalising changes to the Public Sector Management (Redeployment and
Redundancy) Regulations.On October 23, 2013 Premier Colin
Barnett told the media that the Bill was “not about the large scale dismissal of public servants”.
We will be working hard in the coming months to hold the Premier to his word through our participation in consultation around the changes to the regulations.
With its majority in parliament the Barnett Government is delivering an agenda that benefits the big end of town and not the majority of people in the community.
Encouragingly, this has not gone unnoticed by the people of Western Australia.
The latest Newspoll has voters deserting the Barnett Government for the Greens and independents, and the Liberal-Nationals neck-and-neck with Labor for the first time since just before the 2008 election.
So despite what we’re up against, now is not the time to feel dejected and discouraged, but a time to stand up.
We believe that all Western Australians have the right to access quality public services that are delivered accountably and transparently by government. We believe that public services contribute to a fair and equitable society.
For this to be realised, we need to turn around the cuts and privatisation.
We need to stand up for public services.
We need to reach out to the community and ask for their support.
We need our politicians to value public services, invest in them for the benefit of the whole community, rather than demonising the people who deliver them and selling them off to the highest bidder.
This is what we will seek to achieve through the revamped Save Our Services campaign, which we will be talking to members about between now and the end of the year.
This is a long-term campaign but we know if we work together it is one we can win.
The Journal is published by the CPSU/CSA. Community & Public Sector Union / Civil Service Association of WA
Editors
Art Direction
Layout
Contributing Writers
Photography
Journal Advertising
Street Address
Postal Address
Toni Walkington, Rikki Hendon
Megan Klymiuk, Stefan Szo
Megan Klymiuk
Toni Walkington, Rikki Hendon, Darren O’Dea, Megan Klymiuk, Clare Middlemas, Janet Parker, Rama Somasunderam, Lesley Thomas
Stefan Szo, Dan Smith, Darren O’Dea, Megan Klymiuk9323 3895
5th Flr, 445 Hay St, Perth, 6000
Box X2252, Perth WA, 6847
Web
Reception
UnionLink
(Local Call from country)
Flickr
Union Financial Services / CUA
Civil Service Insurance / Vero
www.cpsucsa.org
9323 3800
9323 3888
1300 733 800
www.facebook.com/cpsucsa
@cpsucsa
www.flickr.com/cpsucsa
9220 7700
9220 7777
DisclaimerThe Journal is the official magazine of the Community & Public Sector Union / Civil Service Association of WA. All information within is authorised by Branch Secretary Toni Walkington, unless it is supplied by Members or advertisers. Views expressed in articles are contributors’ own and are not necessarily those of the CPSU/CSA. Statements of fact are believed to be true but no
legal responsibility is taken for them. All material appearing in the Journal is copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission. The CPSU/CSA takes no responsibility for claims made in the advertising appearing within and does not endorse any of the products or services advertised (unless they are our own!)
Lea McKayBranch President
Toni WalkingtonBranch Secretary
Rikki HendonBranch Asst Secretary
Rikki HendonBranch Assistant Secretary
ISSUE 2: 2014 5
6 THE JOURNAL
“The fact is that wages are falling as a percentage of government expenditure and they are not putting extra pressure on the budget.”
Rikki said the union movement would not accept a similar offer when next at the negotiation table.
So how do we turn this around?“We need a government with a
different outlook, that values public services and respects the people who support and deliver them to the community.”
Making this a reality is the basis for the revamped Save Our Services campaign (see story - page 8) which we will be running together with other WA public sector unions.
“It is important that when we next negotiate we have the political leverage to drive that change, but in the meantime it is important for members to hold their heads high and be proud of the outcome that they helped achieve.”
3YRAGREEMENT3YR
AGREEMENT
BACKPAYto
13 JUNE 2014
Your GeneralAgreement 6
Members voted 2:1 in favour of accepting the Barnett Government’s second offer for General Agreement 6 after the ballot closed on Friday, July 11.
The three-year agreement will see a 2.75% pay rise in the first 12 months, followed by 2.5% in each of the following two years, with no trade-offs in conditions.
This means that more than 39,000 public servants will receive the same pay increases as police and firefighters, which will be back paid to June 13.
It marks the end of a lengthy campaign in which members obtained an improvement on the government’s original offer of 2.5% for each of the three years, with trade-offs in job security provisions.
Branch assistant secretary Rikki Hendon said that the removal of the trade-offs was a significant achievement.
“In the lead up to this round of bargaining, our members identified defending conditions and job security as their highest priorities,” she said.
“It was only through member participation in industrial action that job security trade-offs were removed from government’s offer.”
Rikki acknowledged that the pay rises were not as high as members had hoped for and highlighted that negotiations had occurred in a difficult political environment.
“Since being re-elected with an increased majority, the Barnett Liberal Government’s anti-public service agenda has been on display for all to see.
“They’re cutting staff, privatising important services and they broke an election promise by imposing a new, restrictive wages policy on GA6 negotiations.”
Rikki said the wages policy was unfair and unjustified.
“Premier Barnett chose to blame public sector workers for his budget woes and manipulate the public economic discussion in order to disadvantage public sector employees.
Downloads Get the full Agreement:cpsucsa.org/ga6
Just the pay-scales:cpsucsa.org/ga6-pay
Satellite Agreements:cpsucsa.org/my-agency
Satellite AgreementsCountry High School Hostels Authority Residential College Supervisory Staff Agreement
Department of Corrective Services Youth Custodial Officers’ General Agreement
Department of the Attorney General Jury Officers Agreement
Electorate and Research Employees General Agreement
Family Resource Employees and Parent Helpers General Agreement
Government Officers (Insurance Commission of Western Australia) General Agreement
School Support Officers (Government) General Agreement
Social Trainers General Agreement
“It was only through member participation in industrial action that job security trade-offs were removed from government’s offer.”
ISSUE 2: 2014 7
A 3yr term puts GA7 in line with the 2017 State Election. This places us in a strong position to pressure parties, candidates and Govt for the best possible outcome.
Halved the max amount per fortnight that has to be repayed on overpayments from 10% to 5%.
Workers covered by GA6 will earn between $1,750 and $15,350 more over the life of GA6.
Together we fought Govt’s attempt to remove Clause 46 (Labour Hire) and Clause 47 (Peak Consultative Committee) which help us protect job security and fight insecure work. And we won.
More than 39,000 public sector
workers will get pay rises because
of the dedication of our members and
delegates.
Improvements to...Maternity Leave
Adoption LeaveOther Parent LeavePartner LeaveChristmas/New Year Closedown Purchased LeavePeak Consultative Forum
Western Australia deserves a well-resourced public sector that supports and delivers services directly to the community.
Delivering this vision is the aim of the revamped Save Our Services campaign, which the CPSU/CSA will be running together with UnionsWA and other public sector unions in the lead up to the 2017 State Election.
The campaign aims to stop privatisation of State Government services, return privatised or contracted services to public hands, restore fairness to the wages policy, stop cuts to jobs and ensure services are properly funded.
With the Barnett Government running down public services through job cuts, funding cuts, privatisation, forced redundancies and wage restrictions, it is now more important than ever to re-boot this campaign.
Branch assistant secretary Rikki Hendon said there were financially viable, workable alternatives to slashing and burning public services.
“Despite the rhetoric of the Barnett and Abbott Liberal Governments, there are international case studies and a wealth of research and economic data that demonstrates that governments do
not have to slash and burn public services to manage a modern economy,” Rikki said.
“There are real alternatives and we will be building on the ideas that came out of last year’s Public Services Summit to develop one that will work for Western Australia as part of this campaign.”
Rikki reminds us that union members have the power to change the way politicians think about public services.
“We know that when union members come together, get active and reach out to the broader community, they can change bad policy and legislation…even if it means changing the government itself.
“We won the Your Rights at Work campaign to get rid of Workchoices, and we can win the Save Our Services campaign too.
“It will be a long-term campaign but we need to lay the foundations now to be successful.”
The Unions.
w i t h y o u a t w o r k
saveourservices.com.au
fb.com/saveourservices
@saveWAservices
youtube.com/saveWAservices
Get Connected.
8 THE JOURNAL
Ready to relaunch in 2014.
Rikki and branch secretary, Toni Walkington will be briefing delegates about the Save Our Services campaign plan and seeking feedback at EDC meetings in August and September.
ISSUE 2: 2014 9
In the last Journal we warned that Social Impact Bonds (SIB), the latest way of dressing up privatisation, were heading this way.
And they’re almost here.On July 4 Corrective Services
announced it has engaged Social Ventures Australia (SVA) to assess the potential of using bonds in the department.
Under a Social Impact Bond private investors fund a social program or service, delivered by a non-government provider and the government pays the investors their capital and an agreed-on profit if the program achieves specified results.
In the process the government loses a lot of control and understanding of how services are run.
Branch assistant secretary Rikki Hendon noted there are already services being run by the public sector that aim at reducing reoffending in the community and there was no need to outsource it.
“You are just not going to get the same level of transparency with a corporate arrangement and one of the reasons for that is you end up with commercial in confidence arrangements that never get evaluated,” she said.
Rikki said the touted benefits of the bonds were unproven as no SIB process has been completed and evaluated to determine their success.
“This is not an innovation in public service delivery, this is just the latest way of dressing up privatisation. The big fear is that private investors and service providers will dictate how people in custody and all associated rehabilitation programs should be managed, with limited transparency and accountability to the public.
“Government has a duty to the community to run, and be accountable for, essential services such as those in Corrective Services. They should not be handing them off them for private profit.”
Rikki insisted that there was no need to resort to these arrangements to foster innovation and deliver public services.
“There is already significant innovation and a high level of expertise within the public sector. We urge the Barnett Government to stop cutting public sector funding and jobs, and invest in its own, highly–skilled and motivated workforce rather than selling off services to its mates in the private sector.”
Social impact bondsPrivatisation by stealth
You are just not going to get the same level of transparency with a corporate arrangement and one of the reasons for that is you end up with commercial in-confidence arrangements that never get evaluated.
Foster care (Dept. of Family & Community Services)
UnitingCare invest through Social Ventures Australia to deliver an early intervention program that aims to reduce the need for foster care.
Benevolent Society invest through Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank to reduce the need for foster care.
What they don’t mention:
In NSW the majority of foster care services are run by non-government agencies. Benevolent Society is one of these agencies. This means the Benevolent Society is engaged in trying to decrease the need for one of their own services.
Reoffending (Corrective Services NSW)
Mission Australia invest through Social Finance (Australia) to reduce reoffending rates.
What they don’t mention:
A number of SIB supporters acknowledge that the cost of an SIB is greater than direct government funding, and that it is the most complicated option.
“The Social Benefit Bond is the more expensive and complicated way to do it. If there is a simpler way of funding your project, go fo it!”Graham Neal, Director (Business Development and Infrastructure), UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families.
NSW 3 active bonds
$ cash flow
contract/legal obligation Sub-Contractors Sub-Contractors
Social Impact Investors
Social Impact PartnerGovernment
$
$
$
$
$$
$
Social Impact Bonds:it’s all about private profit.
10 THE JOURNAL
Howzat! for indigenous cricket.Matt Abrahamson, Department of the Attorney General
“Our job is to develop different strategies and projects that reduce the contact Aboriginal people have with Western Australia’s justice system.
“As an Aboriginal person and knowing about the issues that Aboriginal people face, we come up with ways to address those issues.”
This is the view of Matt Abrahamson, a senior project officer involved in the Aboriginal Justice Program at the Department of the Attorney General.
“We look at ways of reducing Aboriginal over-representation in the system.”
Matt has been in the role, based at Westralia Square in the Perth CBD, for five years.
He started his public sector career as a trainee in the Indigenous Training Program at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the then Ministry of Justice in May 2000, before being seconded to the Aborginal Justice Agreement in DoTAG in 2008.
Matt said it was a satisfying role and “there were lots of big issues to deal with”.
Matt’s other passion is cricket, being an accomplished batsman and in more recent times the coach of the WA Indigenous team.
He started playing as a 10-year-old and progressed through the ranks to be an opening batsman for Gosnells in the WACA A Grade competition, the highest amateur level you can play before knocking on the door for WA selection.
In 2004-05 he was selected in the WA Indigenous team that contests the Imparja Cup in Alice Springs every February where he won the Player of the Tournament award and was named in the Honour Squad (best team from the event).
His best score in that competition was 88 runs off 39 balls against Tasmania.
“I continued as a player in the WA Indigenous team for six years including three years as a captain, including 2010 where we won the Imparja Cup for WA.”
Matt then progressed to being an assistant coach for a couple of years and has been the senior coach for the last three seasons.
Earlier this year the team won the national competition again.
“It’s been rewarding to work with a whole group of players from different geographical areas and backgrounds, we bring them together as one team and represent WA and our people.”
Nowadays Matt spends his own on-field time playing for Southern River in a suburban competition, where there is a lot less demand on his personal time.
Matt has also been part of the ACTU Indigenous Leaders Program that increases engagement of indigenous activists in the union movement.
ISSUE 2: 2014 11
Made to order.James Burns, Dental Health Services
“Everyone’s mouth is like an individual fingerprint,” said James Burns a dental technician at the Armadale Dental Clinic.
He is one of 32 dental technicians employed by the Department of Health in general dental clinics across Western Australia, making a difference to thousands of people who rely on public dental care.
It provides a vital service that is in huge demand, seeing the technicians realign teeth, build crowns, bridges and dentures.
Despite the huge demand, the products they deliver are not “off-the-shelf”.
James likened their work to that of an artist, creating individual pieces every day.
“Everything is made to order for that person…I love the job.”
James has been a dental technician for 40 years after completing a four-year
apprenticeship at the Queens University School of Dentistry in Belfast.
Twenty five years ago his family left Ireland for Australia, having a job lined up at a Sydney dental hospital.
“My wife and I had a friend in Perth and we felt that the city had a friendly, small town feel and was clean and green and we thought it would be a good place to raise our children,” James said.
“I contacted the Dental Hospital in Goderich Street in West Perth and managed to find employment there after sitting the trade exams and interviews.
“I thought this must be fate and that we were meant to stay here for a while.”
After working in the city for 13 years he moved to a new clinic in Armadale where he has been ever since.
James enjoys the interaction with all other staff in the clinic, saying “everyone in the process takes pride in the work they do”.
“There are a lot of very thankful people
when they see the completed product.”James has been a union member all
his working life.“I joined the union because I feel the
union helps us to achieve dignity and fairness in our working lives.”
James and his fellow members in Dental Health Services have recently received good news that the draconian Travel Time Policy has been rescinded.
Now the time staff spend travelling between clinics and appointments each day will be counted towards their workable hours as per their Award.
Keep in-touch.
cpsucsa.org/my-agency
The best place to get all the latest from your department or agency is at your personalised My Agency tab online:
12 THE JOURNAL
Clint Durham takes his role as an intelligence analyst based at the Kimberley District Police Complex seriously.
He crunches the numbers on statistics that are used to help identify trends in the region and works closely with station managers to combat criminal activity.
“It’s an interesting job…much of the work involves domestic violence and burglary,” Clint said.
“The district analyst’s role is to provide intelligence support at the tactical, operational and strategic levels.
“However my main interest has always been in the strategic (long-term) targeting and reduction of these issues.”
Clint said it was best practice to have the intelligence asset as close to the top of the command structure as possible to help reduce, rather than manage crime levels.
He has been in Broome for 12 years and before that was doing the same thing in the Goldfields, getting into the
role after a short stint in military intelligence.
Clint joined the local PCYC committee a few years back, recognising the correlation between what they were doing and his police work.
The PCYC was providing meals for children on Saturday nights and they quickly realised there was a reduction in crime when the meals were offered.
On his own time Clint then took a wider community view and established the Feed The Little Children charity to provide hot evening meals twice a week to around 300 children in more than 90 homes.
“We set up a committee, registered the charity and my wife and I started to cook up meals before waiting for grant money to come through.
“Initially we used to just drive around and would ask children if they wanted a meal and we got to know many of the parents and would drop off meals to the kids’ houses on a regular basis.
“From there the service spread by word of mouth.”
Seventy five per cent of their clients under the age of 10 are from single parent Aboriginal families that are struggling to maintain household food security due to a low income, overcrowding and the high cost of living.
Clint said the children, some as young as six years of age, were stealing food without the intent to commit a crime but three to four years later, by the time they are before the courts or juvenile justice, the behaviour became normal.
He said it is much harder to change
89% of Indigenous Australian families live below the Henderson poverty line.
Feeding the little children in the Kimberley. Clint Durham, WA Police
ISSUE 2: 2014 13
their ways as their criminal activity graduates to more attractive items.
“The people we are working with are the most disadvantaged group in Broome.”
The meals are cooked and delivered on Friday and Saturday nights as that is “all the capacity we have got at the moment,” Clint admits.
The charity has around 60 active volunteers and a part-time kitchen manager. It also received some funding from Lotterywest late last year to lease a van and prepare meals in a commercial kitchen as part of a 12-month pilot program.
“If we weren’t providing the meals we are confident there would be a much
higher rate of offending by the group we support.
“It’s a pretty easy way to influence some people, it’s not going to fix all the problems but it is making a difference.”
Clint is working full-time on the project for 12 months after being given approval to take time off work without pay.
He said that stopping one child from turning to a life of crime and putting them through the WA justice system would save taxpayers around $400,000 (just in Dept. of Justice costs) so working with up to 300 children at high risk was well worth investing in, at around $1000 per child.
Data provided by WA Police also indicates that the emergency food respite provided by Feed The Little Children may be linked to an 82% decrease in the number of children (1 to 19 years) processed for burglary and theft related offences in the region.
Further promising trends are being seen by the Department of Health with feedthelittlechildren.org.au
data indicating that the project will contribute to a decrease in hospitalisation for malnutrition by up to 35%, in children aged one to nine years.
Feed The Little Children’s future plans include delivering meals seven days a week and involving juveniles (and parents) in the food preparation and distribution of meals.
75% of Feed The Little Children clients are under the age of 10.
CHILDREN
Support Feed the Little ChildrenFor every $20 that is donated Feed the Little Children are able to ensure 10 meals are cooked and delivered to children in need. To help out:
ISSUE 2: 2014 15
The Journal has documented some remarkable events and changes in its 102 years in print and as we move into the digital era we expect it will document many, many more.
The migration from print to digital is one many publishers are making as the opportunities of digital publishing overtake the traditionalism of print media.
Our inaugural digital issue of The Journal was uploaded in December 2011, and since then we have seen many members embraced the online format. So with one last homage to Journals past we’re going all in.
“The biggest benefit we expect for members with the move to an online Journal is that they will have access to The Journal on the very same day as we publish,” branch secretary Toni Walkington said.
“We will be able to reach more people, provide more interaction for readers and at the same time reduce paper use and costs.”
With the fortnightly E-News, the website and the online editions of The Journal members will be able to get all their union-related news in one place - online.
New online features offered during the GA6 campaign were wildly popular and future editions of The Journal will be able to make use of these features too.
Members will be able to seamlessly interact with each other on the website and switch between their emails, The Journal and social media sites in just a few clicks.
“The ability to go straight from The Journal to websites, related articles and social media posts is going to make it easier for members to connect with each other and the union on a whole other level,” brand assistant secretary Rikki Hendon added.
Members will be able to read future editions of The Journal on the CPSU/CSA website or download a copy to read on their tablet or smart device.
October 1969May 1940 February 1989
The Journal is getting an upgrade.We say goodbye to print and hello to the 21st century.
cpsucsa.org/journal
issuu.com/cpsucsa
16 THE JOURNAL
Finding the delicate balance between contemporary fire management and traditional fire knowledge in the Kimberley guided Edward Hatherley to winning the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s inaugural Outstanding Leadership Award.
The Broome member was presented with his award by Environment Minister Albert Jacob at a ceremony that formally recognised exemplary fire management for the first time.
Eleven people in various fire management roles were commended for their outstanding leadership, achievement and contributions to different activities across WA with five of them being CPSU/CSA members.
Edward is a regional fire coordinator and was humbled to be nominated by his regional manager and colleagues.
“It is fantastic to be recognised but it is also representative of what we are trying to achieve as a team in the region,” he said.
“It would not be possible to achieve what we do without a high degree of support from the whole team.”
He has been in the role since 2008, managing fires across the northern part of WA.
“It’s about the engagement of traditional owners of the land and involving them in modern fire management.”
He said there were challenges in getting the right balance in an area that was very remote and largely inaccessible, covering 42 million hectares (an area bigger than Victoria).
There are only two roads – the Great Northern Highway and the Gibb River
Road that is often closed and can produce seasonal challenges.
Edward and his team are involved in prescribed burning from January to June and bushfire suppression from July to December.
“I would really like to thank my regional manager and the agency for their support and acknowledge that I am only one part of a team of people trying to achieve the same outcome.”
Michael Pasotti from DPAW’s Swan region received the Outstanding Leadership Award, with Keith Low (DPAW Kensington) and Clayton Sanders (DPAW Wanneroo) receiving Commendations, with Michael Wright (Forest Products Commission, Nannup) receiving an Outstanding Contribution Award.
“These hard working people help protect our State’s natural assets and park infrastructure throughout the year by carrying out prescribed burns and fighting fires and they deserve to be congratulated and recognised,” Minister Jacob said.
Members shine in leadership awards. Department of Parks & Wildlife
Above: Award recipients Edward Hatherley (DPAW Kimberley), Michael Passoti (DPAW Swan) and Keith Low (DPAW Kensington)
ISSUE 2: 2014 17
A petition with more than 2000 signatures on it calling on the Barnett Government to stop privatising Disability Services Commission group homes was tabled in State Parliament on 26th June.
Families and DSC staff gathered at Solidarity Park behind Parliament House and told of the frustration and heartache that would be caused by the private sector taking over the group homes that
are currently run by the Disability Services Commission.
The petition was presented to Opposition Disability Services spokesperson Stephen Dawson who tabled it in parliament.
Later that morning Disability Services Minister Helen Morton ventured over to the extended morning tea and spoke to DSC staff and families, but there has been no change in the government’s policy.
The petition called on the government to ensure that individuals currently living in DSC group homes, their families and guardians were given the choice to stay with their current service provider if they wish to.
The decision would affect the lives of approximately 300 individuals with an intellectual disability and result in the axing of 500 public sector jobs.
“People with a disability should be able to stay where they are and be looked after by their current social trainers if they wish as they have formed long-lasting relationships with them,” branch secretary Toni Walkington said.
“These social trainers work with people who have very complex needs and the families and guardians believe many needs will not be addressed if the government moves away from being a provider of these services to just being a coordinator to cut costs.”
The Barnett Government has continued its obsession of privatising essential public services with truck driving assessments the latest service earmarked for the corporate sector to take over.
After the Department of Transport conducted a trial where South-West driving schools became both instructors and assessors for truck driving assessments last year, they have decided to roll the service out across the state.
The department is claiming it will provide clients with more choice of where to get their licences but members are concerned that it could increase the chance of corrupt behaviour.
We have asked for the full release of the independent assessment by Ernst & Young and also want to know if a risk assessment of the trial was done and if so, what was the outcome.
Branch secretary Toni Walkington said taking the service out of government hands reduced accountability and increased the chances of the system being rorted.
“Earlier this year the Department of Transport terminated a contract with a metropolitan mechanical business that was conducting vehicle examinations and an investigation was launched,” Toni said.
“This is another example of how privatisation of these services can go wrong.
“Private companies are motivated differently to government agencies and are profit driven whereas public servants know every decision they make is open to scrutiny.”
Toni questioned how the department was going to ensure the private companies were constantly doing the right thing at a time when the Barnett Government was reducing staff and resources right across the public sector.
“We have called on the department to halt privatisation talks until the number of internal auditors for both assessments of training organisations and private vehicle examiners is increased.
“We also seek a guarantee that no other classes of licences will be handed over to private contractors.”
Truck tests off the rails.Department of Transport
Community rallies behind DSC petition.Disability Services Commission
Jo (left) and Maree (right) share the stories of their loved ones who are currently in DSC care.
Helen, a Social Trainer, shares her experiences.
ISSUE 2: 2014 17
18 THE JOURNAL
On July 11 Ann Smith bid farewell to a long and fulfilling career with the Department for Child Protection and Family Services.
She joined the then Department for Community Welfare in 1979 as a residential care officer after working in a similar role for a non-government organisation.
Ann worked at the Longmore Detention Centre in Bentley as a group worker until she got a transfer to her hometown of Bunbury in 1996.
Despite joining the union back in 1979 as a group worker, being part of a union was never discussed and never considered in her family up until that point.
Longmore colleagues were constantly talking about the positives of being in a union and “I didn’t hesitate to join”.
In the early days in Bunbury Ann was surprised at how little staff knew about their entitlements and conditions in the country hostels (as they were known then) so she became a delegate and started campaigning for a better deal.
Ann was part of a team of regional delegates and union staff that fought hard to get an agreement registered with
the Industrial Relations Commission for a commuted allowance.
“With industrial action our commuted allowance was increased to a reasonable salary,” Ann said.
“I remember the walk back from the meeting at the department where we almost skipped back after receiving their offer…and that is still in place today.
“It meant staff in country hostels received a considerable increase in their income.”
Ann revealed that getting the both the agreement lodged and the improved allowance were highlights of her union involvement.
“It was a very exciting time for staff working in country hostels who over many years thought they were a forgotten bunch.
“Up until then the department focus was more on metropolitan staff and the country staff tended to plod along….it was a big win for us.”
In later years the country hostels became country homes, providing more of a homely feel for the young residents.
Ann said working in residential care was a demanding role.
“We are dealing with young people,
both boys and girls, ranging in age from 10 to 18 years of age, some of whom have extreme negative behaviours.
“We tried to focus on the individual needs of each child to give them some direction in life and help them achieve positive outcomes.
“This has been helped in recent times with staff receiving more training and skills that help develop better relationships with the children.”
Ann said it was important for delegates to ensure colleagues were aware of what could be achieved, particularly if there were problems in the workplace.
With the support of the union they were able to work through issues with management and colleagues in a collaborative manner.
“I have always been quite passionate about what the union does for public sector workers.”
Ann is looking forward to the retirement phase of her life.
She has always led an active life and is now spending more time “with family and friends which are most important in our life, along with walking along the river, walking the dog and catching up on gardening”.
I remember the walk back from the meeting at the department where we almost skipped back after receiving their offer...and that is still in place today.
35 years of unity and dedication.Ann Smith, Dept for Child Protection
and Family Services
ISSUE 2: 2014 19
Fundamental questions about the future of WA’s public sector and the wider community have been put in the spotlight with the launch of A COLINoscopy – the 2014-15 State Budget Examined on June 24.
The comprehensive report goes beyond the usual government rhetoric and highlights the impact the cutbacks will have on our members and their families.
Branch secretary Toni Walkington said it was important to provide an alternative narrative that challenged the government and told real stories about hardship from real people in the community.
“We hope this is just the start of trying to turn things around and making a difference,” Toni said.
The public service is essential to Western Australia’s economic prosperity and the general fabric of society but it is struggling with constant cutbacks.
Review highlights cracks in State Budget.Launch of A COLINoscopy: The 2014-15 State Budget Examined.
The report reviews 15 government agencies with 11 of them expected to see a cut to staffing in future years. At the same time privatisation of government services is expected to increase.
The report also challenges government rhetoric about bloated public sector salaries but highlights that ‘other expenses’ are on the rise – up from 9.3% of total expenditure in 2008 to at least 18% in 2016 forward estimates.
Three members agreed to reveal their financial positions and explain how they and their families would cope with the new wave of cuts as part of the report.
Two of those families are already struggling with debt and predict the changes will increase their annual debt figure by more than $2000.
Toni said the budget did nothing to restore WA’s AAA credit rating or ensure everyone in the community got a fair share of the state’s wealth.
She said that in order to improve the situation for all West Australians, tax reform and not budget cutbacks were needed.
The report also calls on the government to stop privatision, invest more in the public sector, plan for the benefit of future generations and make sure that marginalised groups in the public sector were properly represented.
Toni said it was important to keep the discussion going now that the report has been released and encouraged everyone to provide feedback via the Union website.
cpsucsa.org/budgetreview
mind the gapFrom The Growth Factor: what’s really growing? (p9)
Operating Expenses:who is really running the public sector?2008 salaries were 48.7% of total expenses
2008 ‘other expenses’ were 9.3% of total expenses
2016 salaries will have decrease by at least 2.1%
2016 ‘other expenses’ will be at least 18% of total expenses
We know that between now and 2016 many public sector workers will receive pay rises but the State Budget has overall salary expenditure decreasing. This is evidence of the significant job cuts the State Government has planned for the public sector.
In this same time period ‘other expenses’ - which include consulting expenses and contracts - will double.
So who is really running the public sector? Public servants or ‘other’?
c Photo: Bruce Thompson via Flickr
ISSUE 2: 2014 21
Unionists for Refugees (U4R) is a new group that seeks to involve activists from across the WA trade union movement in campaigning for a humane refugee policy.
The group started meeting at the CSA Centre in March and is supported by the CPSU/CSA in their endeavour to champion refugee rights.
“The rights to work, to receive just and favourable remuneration, equal pay for equal work, rest and leisure and to join a trade union are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. So too is the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution,” branch assistant secretary Rikki Hendon said in support of the group.
CPSU/CSA Community Campaigns Organiser and U4R co-founder, Clare Middlemas believes it is important that we counter the Abbott government’s efforts to use anti-refugee racism to cause division and intolerance amongst workers and to divert attention from their own anti-worker agenda.
“We are campaigning for an end to mandatory detention of refugees and asylum seekers, an end to offshore processing, no forced deportations, permanent protection, and work rights for refugees,” Clare said.
U4R meet on the second Tuesday of each month, from 5.30pm on Level 6 of the CSA building, and warmly welcome new-comers and members from other unions.
Janet Parker (a delegate in Disability Services Commission) is just one of the CPSU/CSA members who have dived into this worthy cause.
“Unionists for Refugees wants to reflect the real story of refugees - and not that portrayed by a government intent on dismissing their claims for asylum as simply seeking economic opportunity. Australian workers need to know the truth,” Janet said.
In spreading the word about U4R and the importance of refugee rights Clare and Janet have brought us the compelling story or Rama Somasunderam, a former civil servant from Sri Lanka and refugee advocate.
Members come together to act on global issues.Janet Parker & Clare Middlemas
Now retired, Rama volunteers as a refugee advocate and helps with translations for refugees at Yongah Hill Detention Centre in Northam.
Rama’s storyIn the closing stages of the Sri Lankan
civil war in 2009 it is estimated that more than 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed. The litany of human rights abuses, in particular the persecution of the Tamils, started much earlier.
I was born when Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was under the British rule. When independence was granted in 1948, the constitution gave the Tamil minority balanced representation in parliament and equal rights to the majority Sinhalese community.
However Tamils were soon relegated to second class status. In 1949/50 laws were passed denying voting rights to Tamils of Indian origin. In 1956 Sinhala was made the sole official language. Thousands of Tamil civil servants lost their jobs due to their lack of fluency in Sinhala.
I spoke both languages and got work in the district civil service in 1961 and was later attached to the National Service branch. This department coordinated all the non-government organisations, including those from the United Nations Development Programs like the World Food Program. I later worked in senior roles across a number of departments administering housing, irrigation and transport.
Get involved with U4R
facebook.com/unionistsforrefugees
Meetings every second Tues from 5:30pm Level 6, 445 Hay St, Perth
The Republic of Sri Lanka was proclaimed in 1977 with a new constitution. All the safeguards for the rights of the Tamils were removed. There was a conscious policy to transmigrate the Sinhalese majority to the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka, to make the Tamils a minority in their traditional homelands. This program continues to this day.
The July 1983 ethnic riot, during which 2000 – 3000 Tamils lost their lives, was a significant turning point which provoked the civil war. In Colombo pro-government mobs attacked Tamils for weeks. I saw cars stopped by gangs, if identified as Tamils, people were killed and their cars set on fire. Tamil homes were identified and torched.
Thanks to some fellow unionists, I received a warning that my house was on this list and managed to get my family out in time. We fled to Malaysia and were later recognised as displaced persons and settled in Australia in late 1984.
I saw cars stopped by gangs, if identified as Tamils, people were killed and their cars set on fire. Tamil homes were identified and torched.
22 THE JOURNAL
Safety review slow to progress.Department of Housing
Being on the receiving end of physical and verbal abuse is all in a day’s work for our members on the frontline at the Department of Housing.
Over the last 12 months there have been some serious attacks logged on the incident register report that highlights the real dangers our members have to deal with on a daily basis.
Despite having ample time to improve security measures the department has not responded to our request to expedite the Service Delivery Officer Safety Project.
Our members want department bosses to explore the use of personal duress alarms, improve officer training, develop better post-incident responses and employ security guards in country/regional areas where there is rarely enough staff for them to travel in pairs.
The project is considering introducing discrete alarms that look like an identification badge holder and can be monitored by an operations centre until emergency services or support can attend.
Members have said that given they are subjected to both verbal and physical abuse, having a discrete duress device on them would give them some peace of mind when conducting their daily routine.
Officers deal with a huge range of anti-social issues including people who are ex-prisoners or who have built clandestine drug labs in public housing.
Branch secretary Toni Walkington said the department had a duty of care to look after its staff and having something as simple as a small duress alarm or being supported by a security guard in some cases would go a long way to improving occupational health and safety concerns.
Union members in Housing are not happy that a review of the safety policy has not progressed despite first raising the issue in August last year.
July 2013Tenant climbed over counter and grabbed employee around the neck, lifting her off the ground and slamming her head into a plasterboard wall.
INCIDENT REPORT
May 2013Officer had completed maintenance assessment and was involuntary detained in the unit.
JuneTwo housing officers were threatened and chased by an illegal occupant during inspection. Work vehicle was also damaged.
Employee cornered, scratched and bitten by dogs when doing a property inspection.
JulyTenant going through eviction process threatens and racially vilifies officer.
SeptemberClient visited metropolitan office, raised his voice, banged the desks and threatened to burn down the Housing officer’s property.
Client was intoxicated and became aggressive and threatening towards housing officer.
January 2014Metropolitan office in lockdown after police reported that a man with a gun was near the building.
MarchClient and family members became verbally aggressive and threatening towards officer who was completing an inspection.
AprilOfficer was bitten several times on the leg by a tenant’s dog.
FebruaryOfficers visited tenancy to investigate disruptive behaviour and were subjected to a tirade of verbal and racial abuse.
A stranger tried to grab officer’s arm and told her they couldn’t come in because people inside were doing drugs when officer delivered a letter on rental arrears. Tenant also yelled at officer before she got into her car and called police.
ISSUE 2: 2014 23
Snapshots
Award winners and upcoming awards
Privatisation pitfalls compromise TAFE education.
Good luck to our members in various departments who are involved in projects nominated for the 2014 Premier’s Awards that recognise excellence in public sector management.
A wide range of nominations covering metropolitan and regional agencies have been nominated for the annual competition that demonstrates commitment to innovation, collaboration and leadership in the public sector with projects that make a real difference.
Finalists will be announced at the conclusion of judging with the overall winner and category winners to be announced at a twilight ceremony on November 5.
The categories that members are involved in include: Developing the Economy (Agriculture and Food, Fisheries; Housing, Mines and Petroleum) Improving Aboriginal Outcomes (Health, Housing, Regional Development, Training and Workforce Development, Drug and Alcohol Office, Landcorp, Rottnest Island Authority), Improving Government (Aboriginal Affairs, Education, Finance, Health, Local Government and Communities, Mines and Petroleum, Attorney General, Training and Workforce Development, Transport, Water, Rottnest Island Authority, Planning Commission), Managing the Environment (Fisheries, Parks and Wildlife, Main Roads), Revitalising the Regions (Water, Landgate, Tourism WA), Strengthening Families and Communities (Central Institute of Technology, Commerce, Parks and Wildlife, Sport and Recreation).
The upcoming 2014 WA Education Awards have been expanded to include new categories of Aboriginal education, education assistants and support staff.
The 11 category winners will receive $25,000 each and winning schools each receiving $15,000.
Winners will be announced on December 1.
Best of luck to all the nominees.
“There are major gaps in funding and we need to highlight the consequences of these gaps,” Toni Walkington said at a Senate inquiry into the Federal Government’s Commission of Audit in April.
We gave evidence on the impact of Commonwealth funding decisions and the policy decisions around the delivery of State Government services.
“The Barnett Government has decreased its funding in vocational education training at a time when the Federal Government has increased its funding, yet there is a massive funding shortfall for public-run services here in WA,” Toni said.
“What has happened is the private sector has taken over a lot of the courses and the students are now paying up to three times the fees they were paying last year.
“An increase in course fees will mean that the number of people participating
in these courses will reduce significantly leading to a shortfall of trained personnel in some industries.”
Toni said this was a major concern at a time of high youth unemployment.
She also highlighted the pitfalls of privatising core public services such as the maintenance of public housing stock, vehicle licensing and Corrective Services functions.
“Over the last few years we have seen many examples of services being compromised when profit-driven companies get involved and change the scope of how services should be delivered and measured.”
DCPFS Workload ReviewA three-month review of the Strategy for Caseload Management has commenced with Department for Child Protection and Family Support. This is an important step in moving toward a resolution of the chronic workload problems being reported by CPFS members. Meetings between the union and the department are occurring fortnightly as a part of this review. The review will explore how the Strategy for Caseload Management, which is enshrined in the 2007 WA Industrial Relations Commission Order, is being implemented in the department, as well as the effectiveness of current workload management practice. CPFS members and delegates will be updated on the progress after each meeting.
Members going green at work.Members participating in Living Smart Union’s Go Green @ Work program at WA Police HQ have reported big decreases in their energy consumption. Over the past two years they have put in place initiatives that have seen a 25% reduction in energy use, a 55% reduction in water use, 70% decrease in gas consumption.
Members wanting to introduce Go Green @ Work initiatives in their workplace can contact Lesley Thomas: [email protected]
stoptafecuts.com.au
CPSU/CSA members are currently working with members from other union on the Stop TAFE Cuts campaign to fight cuts and fee increases. Support the campaign at:
24 THE JOURNAL
Australia’s first social media defamation case proceeded to full trial recently, with a former student ordered to pay more than $100,000 in damages over a series of defamatory posts about a teacher at the school. Now that’s an expensive tweet!
It’s also a reminder to the online community that defamation laws extend online; and it’s no surprise that we’re probably going to see more.
Rather than expanding the definition of defamation under Australian law, this case reminds us that defamation already extends to the internet, and it should be a wake up call for anyone using social media to be careful about what they post. A split second decision to share information through social media could be very expensive.
Social media is no different to other forms of publishing in terms of defamation, and the fact that social media can assist broadcasting it further adds risk.
When posting on Facebook or Twitter, take the newspaper test – think of yourself as an editor of a newspaper or media outlet, because you will be just as liable if you defame someone.
Here are five things you should know about social media defamation:1. In general terms, defamation occurs
when a person intentionally spreads information about another person, group of people, or small company that damages their reputation, or can make others think less of them.
2. Defamation is actionable regardless of the medium. A person can be defamed, for example, in print, through photos and on the internet.
3. Defamation cases involving the internet and social media are relatively new, but the same principles apply.
4. A person who did not create the defamatory material, but only shares it (for instance, by “retweeting” a tweet), can also be held found liable guilty of defamation.
5. There are several defences to defamation, including that the statement was true, or that it was an expression of an honest opinion. Consequently, you may be liable for defamation if you spread information which constitutes a hurtful and untrue statement of fact about another person.
What if I’m accused of social media defamation?
The best thing do you if you are accused of defamation is to take down the offending post, and offer an apology. If you’re lucky, the person will forgive you and you won’t end up in court.
With the rise of social media, ordinary citizens are becoming publishers and will be subjected to the same laws as newspapers and other news outlets.
Social media etiquette tipsTame your taggingBe smart and considerate with your tagging. Avoid using tags as a way of ‘sharing’ content – use the share or send features instead. Be considerate when tagging photos – it might be a flattering photo of you, but if your friend is halfway through blinking it probably isn’t a great one to share.
A letter is worth a thousand postsIt can be tempting to jump on social media and vent when you get bad customer service, but it rarely ends well. When it comes to complaints the tried-and-true methods of a calm phone call to management or a written letter still get you the most bang for your dissatisfied buck.
Master the art of groupsJust as some prefer to keep a little distance between their different social circles in ‘real’ life, it’s wise to keep a little distance between your online groups too. Some networks let you categorise your connections and filter the content they see or consider using one service for friends and family and others for professional purposes.
Be respectfulIt is easy to feel a little ‘bolder’ when hiding behind a computer screen, but for some this means being a little more brutal too. Rule of thumb – if you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face then don’t say it online.
Beware of the overshareUse the dinner party rule – if you wouldn’t blurt it out at a dinner table full of people you’ve only just met then don’t blurt it out online. If you absolutely must share do so tastefully, remembering that a future employer might see your post.
LEGAL Q&A
5 things to know about social media defamation- Tim Finney, Slater & Gordon’s Commercial and project litigation team
FREE 45min CONSULTATION
Give UnionLink a call to discuss your legal needs before contacting
Slater & Gordon. They will set you up with a referral so that
you can claim your free 45min consultation.
Phone: 1300 733 800
Email: [email protected]
ISSUE 2: 2014 25
Have you used your 5 days of paid union training leave? Choose from more than 20 professional development and lifestyle courses and start improving your work life today.
www.cpsucsa.org/training we make work life better
Paid training leave is only available for members covered by PSGOGA . If you are covered by another Agreement - call UnionLink on 9323 3888 for more information.
Each word must contain 4 or more letters and must use the centre letter. Use each letter only once, no proper nouns, plurals or verb forms ending in 's'. There is one nine letter word. 15 (words) = Good30 = Great40 = ExcellentThere are 46 words.
MOBILISED, mobilise, idolise, limboed, boiled, bolide, emboli, ibidem, iodise, meloid, misled, mobile, moiled, seldom, simile, smiled, soiled, bedim, besom, bield, biome, deism, demob, imbed, imide, limed, lobed, model, modes, moles, obeli, obied, oiled, oldie, sidle, slide, slime, smile, soled, bide, bile, bise, bled, bode, bole, deil, deli, demo, dime, dole, dome, dose, idem, ides, idle, isle, lied, lime, lobe, lode, lose, meld, mile, mise, mode, mole, olde, semi, side, sled, sloe, sole, some
I N I
O N A
F T L
Take five with a cup and drag your eyes away from the screen - numbers or words, pick your poison.
While you're waiting...
9 5 6 7 2 8 1 3 4
2 8 4 6 3 1 9 7 5
3 1 7 4 9 5 8 2 6
7 2 5 1 6 9 3 4 8
1 9 3 8 7 4 6 5 2
6 4 8 3 5 2 7 1 9
8 3 1 5 4 6 2 9 7
4 6 9 2 1 7 5 8 3
5 7 2 9 8 3 4 6 1
SUDOKU
Puzzle ID: ISS1-2013-01
7 5 6 3 2
4
1 3
8 2 5 6 7
5 9 6 3
4 6 3 1 9
7 9
2
3 4 9 2 8
Diffi
culty: Very hard
SOLUTIONS FROM ISSUE #1 2014:9 LETTER BLOCK
V90
49 0
1/10
/12
A
Vero Insurance is one of Australia’s largest general insurers supported by a strong history of helping Australians with their Home & Contents, Motor and Travel insurance needs.
Our experience and expertise gives us a greater understanding of the risks faced by individuals allowing us to deliver superior products and service.
Call 1800 809 614 or visit www.cpsucsa.org/vero for a FREE quote.
Enjoy great benefits with Vero Insurance
Civil Service Insurance, a company wholly owned by our Union, will receive a commission for insurance arranged.
Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFS Licence No. 230859 trading as Vero Insurance. Vero Insurance is responsible for meeting all terms and conditions of the Insurance. Neither Civil Service Insurance nor any of its related companies guarantee the benefits payable under the insurance. All benefits are payable solely by Vero Insurance. All cover is subject to acceptance by Vero Insurance. Civil Service Insurance Agency Pty Limited ABN 35 008 949 693 AR Number 269513 is an authorised representative of Vero Insurance. You should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making any decision about whether to purchase these products. A PDS is available from www.cpsucsa.org/vero.
The CPSU/CSA brings you the ShopRite
Discount Buying Service
In association with
slatergordon.com.au
Slater & Gordon Lawyers has merged with long established and highly reputable Perth law firm, Gibson & Gibson.
This means four locations in WA and even more high quality lawyers servicing the everyday legal needs of West Australians.
So if something unexpected happens. & there’s a family drama, or you have to get your affairs in order. & you need a good lawyer. & someone nearby you can trust, call 1800 555 777 or visit slatergordon.com.au.
Free 45 minute initial consultation.
1800 555 777
Delivering high quality services to West Australians
27 St Georges Terrace Perth
190 St Georges Terrace Perth
5 Davidson Terrace Joondalup
26 Stirling Street Bunbury
Office locations: