THE JOURNALfor members of the community & public sector unioncivil service association of wa

+ WINS For Acacia members,

WaterCorp members, the DSC campaign and more.

P10 WRONG PRIORITIES

Where’s the money really going?

P16 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEAVE

ACTU leads campaign for 10 days of paid leave.

P8 WHEN WILL IT END? Are there more cuts on the

cards as the mid-year review looms?

Print Post Approved: Post No 602 669/00351J3: 2014

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Call 1800 809 614 or visit www.cpsucsa.org/vero for a FREE quote.

Enjoy great benefits with Vero Insurance

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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.

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6 THE JOURNAL

contents10

features

8 Cutbacks an ill-advised, knee-jerk reaction.

Just where do Premier Barnett and Treasurer Mike Nahan plan to find $2 billion in savings?

10 Government priorities are wrong.Big bucks for top jobs, big cuts for everyone else. We take a look at which agenceis are being hardest hit by more than $146 million in funding cuts.

11 Delcon 2015Where will 2015 take you? Registrations for the ever-popular annual Delegates’ Convention are now open.

12 Members shine in Infinity Awards.Kirsty Grey and Graeme Lockhart take out top award in Public Sector/Universities category.

13 Education still under attack.Ninety percent of WA public school students will be worse off thanks to Barnett.

14 Pay win for Acacia staff.Campaigning and commitment sees Acacia members take home a bumper EBA.

15 Commission on-board with Person Centred Approach to Handover.

Win for DSC Social Trainers and the families relying on DSC services.

16 Domestic violence leave a high priority.

The ACTU lead push for 10 days paid domestic violence leave for permanent staff.

17 Win for members robbed of Super.Members to be paid back unpaid Super lost while at professional development courses.

18 Anna Stewart Program: Another successful year of empowerment.

We have to look at cutting government spending and, to the extent possible, the

burden will be borne by the public sector.

8

ISSUE 3: 2014 7

credits

19 Unions unite to fight TAFE cuts.

20 Complexity and caseload the key.

21 WaterCorp: A year of campaigning pays off.

22 A Delegate’s Life

We celebrate 1,000 participants.

23 DAFWA: Next stop - the Nullabor.

Cancer risk recognised for fire fighters.

24 Schools: Members new and old come together.

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!)

EDITORS Toni WalkingtonRikki Hendon

ART DIRECTION Megan KlymiukStefan Szo

LAYOUT Megan Klymiuk

WRITERS Darren O’DeaToni WalkingtonRikki HendonMegan Klymiuk

PHOTOGRAPHY Darren O’DeaMegan KlymiukDaniel SmithStefan Szo

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14

8 THE JOURNAL

such as the under-capacity Wandoo Reintegration Facility and paying for staff at the non-operational Fiona Stanley Hospital.

“Premier Barnett claims the private sector is more efficient yet has earmarked over $200 million of taxpayer funds to improve the capacity of non-government organisations to deliver public services,” Ms Walkington said.

“Retaining services in the public sector would have avoided this costly exercise.

“If the government is serious about reducing its operating surplus it needs to review how much money is spent on privatisation.”

When will it all end?That was the question many were

asking after the Barnett Government announced on October 9 that it was again taking an axe to an underfunded, under-resourced and constantly under attack WA public sector.

Premier Colin Barnett and Treasurer Mike Nahan said they were looking for $2 billion in savings measures with much of it aimed squarely at our members and the services they provide for the community.

The measures include:• A one per cent efficiency

dividend on most general government agencies;

• Cuts to non-essential procurement expenditure;

• Targeting 1,500 voluntary redundancies in the public sector;

• Cutbacks in the Government’s Asset Investment Program.

This is on top of the 7,500 jobs that have already disappeared from Western Australia’s public service since 2010, including 1,000 jobs going last financial year.

It doesn’t make sense to reduce staff needed at a time when WA’s population continues to expand and there is increased demand for public services delivered by government.

Our messaging on the latest cutbacks was that it was an ill-advised, knee-jerk reaction and that the relentless running down of public services needed to stop.

The biggest increases in government expenditure are “other

Cutbacks an ill-advised, knee-jerk reaction.

operating costs” that now account for 25 per cent of total expenses, up from 14.2 per cent from 2008.

This is driven by vanity infrastructure projects that have increased net debt and depreciation expenses and this category of expense hid the huge costs of privatising and contracting out of public services.

Branch secretary Toni Walkington reminded the government that it needed to invest in people and services instead of being concerned about generating profits for the business end of town.

She said it was important that they invested in services that made a difference to people’s lives.

Ms Walkington said it was arrogant for the government to say services would not be affected despite more employees leaving.

“To now run the public service down and get rid of experienced employees is not addressing the problems of fiscal mismanagement.

“In addition to the 1,500 jobs going, what is particularly concerning is the lack of detail about the consequences for the standard of public services to our community.”

There needs to be a limit to cuts to public services and funds.

Union members had already shown restraint by accepting a wages package that had minimal increases below that of CPI for the next few years.

The government would be better served by looking for real savings such as scrapping expensive contracts with private companies,

GET MORE

WA budget cuts a blunt hit to departments under the pump- Jason Whittaker (VIC)

WA Government will slash 1500 public sector jobs to tackle slowing economy- Perth Now

Premier Colin Barnett’s popularity falls to record low, Newspoll shows- Jacob Kagi, ABC News

ISSUE 3: 2014 9

Other steps will be undertaken in the mid-year review

announced in December and then in the budget unless we can get some changes in the

[financial] situation.

- Treasurer, Mike Nahan (9 Oct 2014, abc.net.au)

We have to look at cutting government spending and, to

the extent possible, the burden will be borne by the public

sector.

- Premier, Colin Barnett (8 Oct 2014, themandarin.com.au)

10 THE JOURNAL

At a time when the Barnett Government is demanding savings across most state departments and statutory authorities one of its departments has expanded its senior executive costing millions of dollars.

Restructuring in the Department of Corrective Services has resulted in Senior Corporate Executive costs rising from $3.5 million for 20 positions under the previous structure to $5.5 million for 29 positions in the new structure.

The funds for the expanded structure will need to be drawn from the departments operating budget, already reduced by $7.9 million following the decision by Premier Barnett that all state government departments must return 1% of their operating funds back to his government.

The increase in senior corporate costs comes at a time when people in parole and probation and across the prison system are working intensively and for longer hours to compensate for staff shortages and increased workloads.

Savings measures have resulted in there

being no backfill nor relief for staff who are on annual leave or extended absences, putting yet more

pressure on staff workloads.The Departments new structure contradicts the

statement by the Minister for Corrective Services in December last year.

Mr Francis advised State Parliament that his intention was to

streamline and rationalise the department’s senior

structure and ensure value for money for WA taxpayers.

Following the Ministers Statement many people working in the department viewed

the proposed changes with optimism and hoped there

would be greater resources for those working directly with

offenders. Unfortunately it appears Minister Francis has not delivered on

this promise.

WA Health $45.8m

WA Police $12.5m

Corrective Services $7.9m

Royalties for Regions $7.8m

Public Transport Authority $7.5m

Synergy $5.7m

Mental Health Commission $6.2m

Disability Services Commission $6.9m

Child Protection & Family Support $5.6m

Training & Workforce Development $4.2m

Government priorities are wrong.

‘Balancing’ the Books Budget cuts across the sector

TOTAL

$146 million

Figures produced by media. Based on 1% cuts applied to agencies with budget higher than $10 million.

ISSUE 3: 2014 11

Expressions of interest are now being called for DELCON 2015 which will be held at the CSA Centre, February 19-20.

The upcoming event will be a great opportunity for delegates from across the Union’s broad membership to connect with each other, share experiences, and develop new skills and knowledge that will assist them to protect and advance the rights of their members.

Branch assistant secretary Rikki Hendon said delegates will get the chance to talk about the big challenges they’re facing in the public sector.

“We know a lot of our members in the public sector are doing it tough under the Barnett Government.”

“Attacks on job security, job and funding cuts, and privatisation are hitting members hard.”

“In spite of this, delegates across the sector are doing brilliant work defending the rights of members.

“DELCON will be a great opportunity for delegates to draw energy from each other,” Rikki said.

“Delegates should leave DELCON with the confidence, skills and inspiration to rise to the challenges ahead.”

The last CPSU/CSA Delegates’ Conference was the 2013 Public Services Summit, which explored the big policy issues impacting public sector workers and the services they deliver to the community.

DELCON 2015 will focus on what delegates can do in their workplaces to build Union strength and fight back against the Barnett Government’s agenda.

registration closes

22 January 2015To qualify for TUTL you must apply online through cpsucsa.org/delcon

Apply Now

19 - 20 February

Delcon 2015Where will your delegate journey take you next?

12 THE JOURNAL

Members shine in Infinity AwardsKirsty Grey, a member at WA Police, played a key role in winning the Waste Authority’s Infinity Award for State Government/Universities for WA Police in September.

Kirsty and colleague Graeme Lockhart were part of the push to reduce the department’s environmental impact.

They admitted it was a battle as it was not the core business of policing but were encouraged by the support of Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan.

“Having that signature on a piece of paper has given Kirsty and myself direction to be able to start getting involved in these programs,” Graeme said at the recent awards ceremony.

The program saw old lighting replaced with LEDs and included the proper recycling of old fittings to remove PCBs, mercury, glass, aluminium and phosphor.

They also provided recycling bins in kitchens/cafeteria and biodegradable bin liners; removed paper towels from bathrooms and altered supply chains affecting 23,500 packages of uniforms that now eliminates excess packaging and uses degradable satchels.

“It’s the right thing to do, we are trying to be one of the lead agencies in government in Western Australia so we are setting the standard and the bar,” Graeme said.

“We have to take them on a journey,

we can’t stand in front of them and tell them what they have to do, we actually have to show them why they are doing it and make them feel good about it.”

Living Smart Union organiser Lesley Thomas said police were part of the network and she was happy to show people how to get involved in similar activities.

“The award is fantastic and we are happy to be the conduit to recognise what our members are doing,” Lesley said.

“I see real value in that.”

Cleaning Up: Graeme Lockhart and member, Kirsty Grey (centre left and right) take out Infinity Award for PS.

ISSUE 3: 2014 13

Education still under attackNinety per cent of WA public school students will be worse off as a result of the Barnett Government’s education funding cuts according to the Putting Our Kids First education alliance which includes the CPSU/CSA, State School Teachers’ Union and United Voice.

Figures provided by the government have been used to compare the 2015 expenditure per student (based on enrolment projections) with the 2013 expenditure per student, when the funding cuts were announced.

The figures reveal that next year more than 255,000 students will be worse off compared to 2013, with only 28,000 being better funded.

The alliance said that, on average, expenditure per student across WA will decrease by $730.

The figures show that the overall budget in 158 schools has increased but their spending per student will decrease due to a rise in enrolments.

Many of the worst-affected schools are Education Support Centres that provide life-changing and critical support for students who need extra help.

CPSU/CSA branch assistant secretary Rikki Hendon said principals, registrars and business managers were not being given sufficient time to manage the implementation of the new one-line budget arrangements which, up until

now, were only a requirement of Independent Public Schools.

“We fear that schools have not been given the space to adequately plan and prepare for such immense change, and that they will struggle to manage the additional workload that accompanies it without more resources,” Rikki said.

Rikki said that cuts to the Department of Education’s budget announced by the Premier last month would also hurt schools.

“At a time when our education system is undergoing enormous change, such as the transition of year 7’s to secondary, more support, not less is needed.”

The Maths...

WILL LOSE MORE THAN $1M EACH.

255,000students willbe worse off.

Only 28,000 will see improved

funding.

Average of

$730 less per student

13 SECONDARY SCHOOLS

puttingourkidsfirst.com.auFOR INFO ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL

14 THE JOURNAL

Pay win for Acacia staffAcacia Members

Acacia Prison staff will likely enjoy pay increases after the CPSU/CSA and WA Prison Officers’ Union negotiated a joint union, single agreement for the next three years.

People working in service and support roles will receive annual pay increases of 4% for the next three years with custodial staff to receive 4.25% each year.

Negotiations for the new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement started earlier this year in January.

Initially Serco, the private operator of the prison, sought to simply extend the previous three-year agreement for a further 12 months. This proposal was rejected by members of both unions and Serco was forced to engage in substantive bargaining.

Initially Serco proposed the removal of a number of valued conditions of employment won through previous Enterprise

Bargaining Agreement campaigns.Union officials and our delegates at

the workplace conducted regular visits to speak with all staff and held member meetings to canvas members views. Many matters were discussed over a much needed coffee before or after shift change with unions providing coffee van facilities in front of Acacia Prison.

A key concern for members was the recognition that any conditions removed or diluted would be very difficult to get back in future rounds of bargaining.

Members from both unions stood firm forcing Serco to produce a better deal incorporating pay increases, fair conditions and no trade-offs.

Currently members are voting in a ballot on the improved offer. Many people realised union efforts have won better outcomes resulting in an increase of 20% in our union’s

membership.Conditions won include:• Fair access to uniforms• A say in the roster and changes

to it• Consultation on changes to

staff levels• On-call allowances• Union consultation on major

changes• The automatic right to

representation at JCCs• The right to dispute any

industrial matter• Parity shift penalty rates• Maintained overtime – double

time and a half for officers required to work over 16 hours.

• Natural disaster leave• Time in lieu for officers

required to attend court for official duties on RDOs

FOR SERVICE AND SUPPORT ROLES

FOR CUSTODIAL STAFF

4.25 %yr

4%yr

+ On-call allowances+ Fair acces to uniforms+ Parity shift penalty rates+ Maintained overtime: double-time and a half for officers required to work over 16 hrs+ Time in lieu for officers required to attend court on official duties

ISSUE 3: 2014 15

Commission on-board with Person Centred Approach to Handover.Disability Services Commission

Social trainers employed by the Disability Services Commission had a win in late October when their employer listened to their genuine concerns about the handover of group homes to the not-for-profit sector.

They were preparing to implement work bans on certain administration duties, saying there was a lack of documented, person-centred guidelines in place for the handover of services.

On behalf of the social trainers, we called for a minimal handover period of at least eight weeks to ensure proper consultation and assessment can be done.

Our members believed a rushed handover would reduce the effectiveness of the management and care of residents, saying more consultation is required, particularly as many of the residents have challenging needs and behaviours.

Late on October 24 DSC director general Ron Chalmers met with the union and agreed to the notional timeframe of eight weeks, saying in some cases the handover period may be shorter, but in other cases it could be longer.

He said the views of all stakeholders (residents, family members, social trainers, management and the new service provider) will be taken into account in determining the handover period in each case.

Further to that the Commissioner

agreed to established an independent advocacy capacity to resolve issues raised by social trainers and families about the residents’ well-being during the handover period.

This commitment went some of the way to address critical issues identified by our delegates.

The Commission also committed to further discussions in issues raised in our document Minimum Standards for a Person Centred Approach to Handover in the near future.

Congratulations to all social trainers who committed to take industrial action and stand up for the human rights of individuals affected by the push for privatisation.

A couple of weeks prior to the action being called off Dr Chalmers was questioned on the decision to privatise accommodation services at the Environmental and Public Affairs Committee hearing in the WA Legislative Council on October 15.

The hearing was held after a 2,700- signature petition was presented to the State Government in June calling on the decision to privatise the remaining government-run homes.

The hearing was attended by CPSU/CSA staff, some affected social trainers and families who want their loved ones to stay in the care of DSC staff.

One of our key messages in the lead up to the hearing was that group home residents should be able to stay where

they were and be looked after by current social trainers if that is what they wanted.

CARING ABOUT RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (CARD)

An advocate group looking out for the interests of residents in disability group homes has joined the call for the government to stop further privatisation of the facilities that have been run by the Disability Services Commission.

CARD – Caring About Residents with Disabilities – was recently formed after family members across the metropolitan area realised they had a common cause.

Group members are adamant that individuals living in the government-run facilities continue to have the choice to stay with their current facility if they chose to.

The group said they hoped that as a collective they could more pressure on DSC and Minister Helen Morton.

Members have said they are worried for their family members in disability care, saying it is a huge emotional burden and sapped a lot of energy from them.

16 THE JOURNAL

Domestic violence leave a high priority.ACTU - National

Unions are pushing to give millions of Australian workers the right to access domestic violence leave.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said paid domestic violence leave is designed to support victims of domestic violence and help them to keep their job.

“Having a job is critical if women are to leave a violent relationship,” Ms Kearney said.

“Domestic violence is not - and should not - be a private matter that is dealt with behind closed doors.”

The ACTU is making a claim to the Fair Work Commission for 10 days paid domestic violence leave for permanent staff and 10 days unpaid leave for casuals to be included in all awards.

Ms Kearney said one in three Australian women experience physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner.

“It is a systemic issue involving a

wide range of social, economic and cultural factors that must be addressed in the public sphere – including workplaces.

“Having access to domestic violence leave means victims have time to attend court appearances and related appointments, seek legal advice and make relocation arrangements.

“Evidence shows having an income gives women choice, stops them becoming trapped and isolated in violent and abusive relationships, and enables them to care for their children and provide them with a safe home environment.”

ABS figures show that two thirds of the 400,000 plus people who experience domestic violence each year are in paid employment.

“Paid domestic violence leave recognises that employees experiencing domestic violence often have a history of broken

employment, are on lower incomes in casual and part-time jobs and can least afford to take unpaid leave at a time when financial security is critical.”

The ACTU claim also includes the right to request a change in working arrangements, such as start and finish times.

“Stalking is one of the risk factors that can lead to a domestic violence victim being killed, and almost all women with violent partners who stalk them also experience harassment at their workplace.

“Providing flexibility around working hours will help make the workplace safer for everyone.”

More than 1.6 million employees now have access to paid domestic violence leave in union negotiated workplace agreements.

Ms Kearney said extending this to all modern awards will provide a safety net for millions of workers.

ISSUE 3: 2014 17

We recently welcomed a government audit to make sure public servants are not missing out on compulsory superannuation contributions for attending training courses.

Under their award public servants are eligible to attend up to five days of paid training leave annually with courses offered covering things such as retirement, understanding change management, training for managers and avoiding conflict.

More than 10,000 participants have attended the courses since 2008.

In June two Department of Attorney General employees noticed discrepancies in superannuation contributions after attending four days of training.

Our initial inquiries revealed that the Department considered training

leave was not “ordinary time earnings” and the days on training were not included in the superannuation contribution.

We successfully challenged the decision and the superannuation contribution was made up.

It came to our attention because two members did the bulk of their training in one week so it was more likely to be noticed, but in a lot of cases the discrepancy could go unnoticed.

Many public servants rely on our professional development and skills training courses to develop their skills. Our program is particularly valued by people working for government departments that had suffered significant funding and staff cutbacks over recent years.

GET INVOLVED

Do you or someone you know need help?

The ACTU claim for domestic violence leave was lodged in the Fair Work Commission on October 28 as part of a review of modern awards currently underway.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) 24 hour National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line.

Womens’ Domestice Violence Helpline (WA) 9223 1188 - or - 1800 007 339

Mens’ Helpline (WA) 9223 1199 - or - 1800 000 599

UnionLink (for help accessing Domestice Violence Leave)1300 733 800

Win for members robbed of Super.

18 THE JOURNAL

Another successful year of empowerment.“When I got asked if I wanted to be a part of the Anna Stewart project I was really pleased because I am pretty passionate about womens’ issues,” Isabelle Lee said.

The Department of Attorney General delegate, who works at the Fremantle Magistrate’s Court, had nothing but praise for the Anna Stewart Memorial Project that unites women from different unions for a week of learning and networking.

“Anna Stewart’s particular ideas about wanting to change unions to get women to be stronger, more vocal and part of the union movement…that was really inspiring for me,” she said.

Izzy enjoyed learning new practical

tools and “getting a better idea of the continuing inequality within workplaces in regards to women”.

“I have also got a lot of inspiration from the people we have met, hearing their stories and including the people participating in the project.”

Jennifer Hinkley, a long-term union member who currently works at the Department of Education, felt proud to be nominated.

She said the program in September strengthened every women’s place in the union and what they can achieve.

“It shows you who you are supporting, what you are working towards, where we have come from

and hopefully where we are at and where we are going,” Jennifer said.

WATCH

Hear more about what Izzy and Jennifer have to say about being a union member, their roles as delegates and their views on the Anna Stewart project.

ISSUE 3: 2014 19

GET INVOLVED

Join the campaign to oppose TAFE cuts and fee increases for students.

Watch the ABC’s 730 Report story:TAFE fee hike hits home as enrolment fall, below.

Members working in TAFE are struggling to deal with the impacts of massive budget and staff cutbacks.

The Barnett Government reduced training by $45.8million in the 2014-15 budget and on top of that TAFE colleges had their funding cut by almost $9million as part of procurement savings.

Not only are the cutbacks having an impact on the workload for staff but also for students.

A handful of metropolitan TAFE bookshops have already been closed with affected students now having to order their books over the phone by credit card with the books to be couriered to the campus for collection.

Printing services that were previously done in-house have also been contracted out.

Members pounded the pavement recently to spread the message of the TAFE 4 All WA campaign.

The first of the letterbox drops was

in the Belmont/Cloverdale area, being close to the Polytechnic West Carlisle campus.

Many students were given a rude shock back in January when they were hit with a massive spike in course fees, putting education out of reach for many.

It was revealed in late August that there were 5,200 fewer students enrolled in TAFE after some student fees increased by as high as 500 percent from last year.

TAFE provides people with opportunities to increase their life and employment prospects, but ongoing restrictions such as fee rises, will leave many students worse off.

There is major concern that more students will be driven away from TAFE with more increases in 2015.

The State School Teachers’ Union has launched a new petition that calls on the Barnett Government to lower TAFE fees to 2013 levels instead of increasing them more in 2015.

The petition also asks the government to restore government funding to TAFE colleges so that every Western Australian can afford access to a high-quality vocational education.

Unions unite to fight TAFE cuts.TAFE

More info: tafe4allwa.org.au

20 THE JOURNAL

Complexity and caseload the key.Department for Child Protection and Family Support

Work continues on developing a manageable workload for case workers in the Department for Child Protection and Family Support.

In July the union initiated a series of meetings with the department to address the long-standing workload issues, something we have tried to address in different forums.

In 2007 the WA Industrial Relations Commission set an upper limit of 15 cases per child protection worker with exceptional circumstances allowing for a maximum ratio of 18 cases per worker.

Constant feedback has revealed the tool is not being used regularly and is not being promoted by the department to be used.

It is important to have an effective workload management tool that not only counts cases but also assesses the intensity and complexity as not all cases are the same.

In one of our surveys, 90 per cent of respondents said if one was available, they would use such a tool.

It doesn’t take much to work out that staff who don’t have a manageable workload will struggle, become stressed and get burnt out.

Video messaging was introduced as an alternative communication method with members and delegates who were encouraged to provide online feedback including if they used a workload management tool, if they were trained in using one and

asking what their current workload was.

It was important to get updated information with the department recently insisting the average caseload is only 12.5 per worker, which is in stark contrast to what members were saying.

At one of the most recent meetings the department conceded that cases would be pushed up the line to the district director as the nominated liaison officer.

Latest feedback from staff was that if they had the capacity to push cases up the line it would help manage their workload.

ISSUE 3: 2014 21

After 12 months of campaigning Water Corporation union members have secured a new four-year Enterprise Agreement.

The new pay deal means annual pay increases of at least 2.7%. If the Perth CPI increases above 2.7% in the January to March quarter members will be paid the difference.

Importantly conditions of employment were protected and some improvements were gained.

The win was made possible through the combined efforts our union CPSU/CSA, along with the Australian Workers’ Union, United Voice, AMWU, ETU and Professionals Australia.

The campaign also resulted in many people signing up to the union and others becoming more involved

by volunteering to represent members as union delegates.

The wins we made were by no means easy ones.

When we rejected Water Corporations first offer the Corporation challenged this view. With the offer put to ballot the union launched the ‘Vote NO’ campaign. A resounding 68% of people rejected the offer.

Intense negotiations resulted in an improved offer supported by 92% of staf voting to accept.

In addition to the CPI adjustment to protect the real value of salary rates, the Corporation also agreed to back pay the wage increases and the rollover of improvements secured in the previous 2011 Enterprise Agreement.

As a result personal leave can be used if reasonable proof is provided that members were ill when on purchased leave.

Representation in employment matters is now included in the dispute clause meaning delegates can be present in meetings when support is required.

If members are redeployed to another position they will now have three months to request a redundancy if the position proves unsuitable.

There will also be improvements to the Operations Centre roster, improvements to community leave and annual leave can be taken in advance.

A year of campaigning pays off.Water Corp members

22 THE JOURNAL

Kai Kench went to university with plans of becoming a primary school teacher but a change in direction saw him become a youth custodial officer in 2009.

He started out at the former Rangeview Remand Centre before relocating to Banksia Hill Detention Centre when the two centres merged a couple of years ago.

Kai is an active delegate and his duties range from maintaining security at WA’s only youth detention centre to overseeing the welfare and wellbeing of the detainees in custody and he loves the role.

“I like the team that I work with, we are all very diverse and from different walks of life,” Kai said.

“I also enjoy working with the youth.

Living Smart Union recently celebrated the 1000th person participating in its programs since inception three years ago.

The Living Smart program helps people enjoy a more sustainable lifestyle and the plan was to connect with 100 people in the first 12 months.

The program continues to grow with the 1000 participants having 7773 hours of connection time with the union, with around 25 per cent going on to have an ongoing and active union engagement.

Living Smart helps people maximise well-being, health and happiness, at the same time as reducing their environmental impact.

For more information on how to get involved call Living Smart organiser Lesley Thomas on 9323 3800.

A Delegate’s Life

Kai Kench Banksia Hill Detention Centre

“I know it sounds a bit like a glossy, text book answer but whilst we don’t make a difference in everyone’s lives if we make a difference to one person’s life and they don’t return to the system then that is a small win.”

Kai said there was a real sense of achievement when the detainees left and didn’t return or didn’t “graduate” to the adult system.

He became more involved in union activities just prior to the merger of the two centres, being keen to look after the interests of his colleagues and reduce the impact it would have on their jobs and workload.

Being a delegate was a natural progression from being an active member

“I wanted to make a difference.”Kai encouraged members thinking

about becoming delegates to give it a go.

“Be patient and don’t be afraid….you have a lot of support.”

Kai is looking forward to a long career in Corrective Services and also continuing to work with the union to make work life better for his colleagues.

GET INVOLVED

Download a Delegate Nomination FormInfo: cpsucsa.org/delnom

Know a member that is making a difference, or a Delegate that has gone above and beyond? Send us you Delegate story

We celebrate 1000 participants.Living Smart Union

ISSUE 3: 2014 23

Next stop - the Nullabor. Department of Agriculture & Food

Cancer risk recognised for fire fighters. Department of Fire & Emergency Services

An important measure to assist people involved in firefighting as volunteers was achieved in October.

Parliament has adopted legislation that means current and former volunteer firefighters at the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services who contract a prescribed cancer will be compensated.

Passed in October, the legislation recognises the cancer risk from carcinogens released during fires. This complements similar compensation for DFES career firefighters enacted in November 2013.

In the past firefighters who developed cancer were required to provide proof of the link between firefighting and cancer in order to submit a workers compensation claim. However, toxins and chemicals encountered at a fire incident are rarely recorded and proving that link was difficult.

The compensation entitlement would relate to exposure to the hazards of a structure fire, vehicle fire or a rubbish fire and would depend on the firefighters’ length and frequency of service.

Eucla is not a town you drive through by accident.

It’s a small settlement just inside the South Australian border, more than 1400km from Perth and most people don’t give it a second thought unless they are travelling interstate on the Eyre Highway.

Despite having a population of only about 40 people and boasting little more than a police station, a nursing post and an airstrip for the Royal Flying Doctor Service it plays a major role in Western Australia’s biosecurity defence.

Checking in: CPSU/CSA organiser Margaret Parr (right) chats with members Sandra Darr and deputy delegate Stephen Lenghaus at the Eucla checkpoint.

The Department of Agriculture and Food operates quarantine checkpoints at the crossing to stop unwanted pests, weeds and diseases arriving in WA through the major road network.

The checkpoint is manned 24 hours a day by only eight staff.

Our DAFWA organiser Margaret Parr stopped to have a chat to staff on a return trip after a holiday.

She said it was good to talk to the staff about their working conditions and the challenges of life on the border.

24 THE JOURNAL

How will you improve your work life in 2015?Using your 5 days paid union training leave is a good start.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.

Once again the CPSU/CSA was represented at the WA State School Registrars’ Association at its annual conference in August.

The three-day conference provided professional development for school administrative staff right across Western Australia.

It was the perfect opportunity to speak with school registrars and staff about their future in primary and secondary education whilst showcasing

Hanging out for your new member card?

Keep an eye on your mailboxes late January, when we’ll be sending out your new card.

Feel like 2015 might be a good year to brush off those professional development plans?

The 2015 Training Schedule is now online. Courses include:• Assertive Communications• Conflict in the Workplace• Guide to Good Management• Work/Life Balance• Delegate trainingPLUS MUCH MORE!

the benefits of union membership.

Anne Pomery from Tom Price Primary School (pictured) recognised the advantages of being a CPSU/CSA member and signed up.

Cherie Clements from Makybe Rise Primary School in Baldivis correctly guessed how many chocolate coins were in the jar (558) and for her efforts received the jar and its contents, as well as a blu-ray DVD player donated by Shoprite.

Members new and old come together.Schools

2015 Membership Card

Training in 2015

ISSUE 3: 2014 25

How will you improve your work life in 2015?Using your 5 days paid union training leave is a good start.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.

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