Public Sector Review | October 2020

Review Public Sector

Public Sector Review Magazine • OCTOBER 2020

SOLIDARITY AT THE FIRE FRONT 6

It’s time for SS01s to Move Up!

www.psaofsa.asn.au

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South Australia It’s Still Not for Sale

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PSA Worksite Representative’s Forum

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PSA Continues to Stand Firm on Salaried Agreement

CONTENTS From the General Secretary: 3 The Public Sector is the Heart of Our Community From the President: 4 From the Assistant General 5 Secretary: PSA Strong in the Face of Adversity

INDUSTRIAL NEWS It’s Time for SS01s to Move Up! Your New Union Website

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South Australia It’s Still Not for Sale

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PSA Worksite Representative’s 10 Forum Goes Online Solidarity at the fire front 12 Child Protection Week SA Rep of the Year Announced

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PSA Continues to Stand Firm on Salaried Agreement

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MEMBER NEWS Out and About With PSA Members

WELCOME This issue of the PSA Review comes to you during one of the most challenging years in recent memory. It’s been a difficult year for public servants who have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 response while at the same time being confronted by relentless budget cuts, restructures, service cuts and privatisations.

Nonetheless, PSA members have continued to demonstrate the kind of selfless and altruistic values typical of community members who care deeply about the public services we deliver to our community.

Unions “Save SA Services” campaign, which launched in September.

We must continue building and pursuing our campaign. We can protect and improve our public services if more people join us in rejecting the state government’s privatisation and service cutting agenda.

We also need to strengthen our union.

This is something to which all PSA members can contribute simply by asking a colleague to join us in our advocacy for a strong and proud public sector and respectful working conditions.

Our PSA campaign against the privatisation of public services and for the respect for public services has increased in visibility. The PSA is also playing a leading role in the broader SA

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Health Partners: Easy Stretches 18 for the Office or Home Super SA: What Accessing Your Super Now Could Mean

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Worksite Representative Profile: Max Bauman

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MEMBER BENEFITS PSA Holiday Home

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The PSA Pride Network

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Review Public Sector

The Public Sector Review is an official publication of the Public Service Association of SA Inc and the Community and Public Sector Union (SPSF Group) SA Branch.

Comments, letters and editorial material to: ‘The Editor’, Public Sector Review Level 5, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000

FEDERAL WEBSITE The website has general interest articles, a links page and specific sections for women, schools, higher education and correctional services.

Selected articles are published electronically on the PSA website at www.psaofsa.asn.au Tel: 08 8205 3200 Fax: 08 8223 6509 Toll-Free: 1800 811 457 Email: enquiries@psaofsa.asn.au

www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au

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Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Designed and printed on recycled and sustainably sourced paper by Created 2 Print, 107 Sturt Street, Adelaide SA. www.created2print.com The Public Sector Review’s official publication number is PP565001/0010.

Volume 4, Number 2.

Responsibility for political content in this publication is taken by Nev Kitchin.

Cover Image: L-R: SES citation recipients Rob Charlton, Ruth Tovo, Andrea Geytenbeek, Milo Kuga, Derren Halleday and Corey Frazer.

A message from the General Secretary

THE PUBLIC SECTOR IS THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY by Nev Kitchin

Congratulations to all PSA members for your unwavering dedication and commitment to public service.

You are at the forefront of keeping South Australians safe, and ensuring the services our community members rely on every day are being delivered effectively.

damaging because they strike at the heart of our democracy.

Wealthy overseas corporations – such as those to whom successive South Australian governments have handed over billions of dollars and responsibility for essential services - have no interest in the health and civilisation of our society. Just look at the damage being done in Victoria from the privatisation of COVID security.

The PSA has always believed a wellresourced public sector is the foundation of a fair and civilised society - and a strong economy.

Governments who are so committed to privatisations must be accountable. That is why the PSA is calling for all political parties to support a parliamentary inquiry into privatisation. It is important that governments are open and transparent about protecting the public interest when it comes to the provision of public services.

All South Australians must have equitable access to comprehensive, affordable, high quality public services.

The state government must be at the forefront of leading the economic recovery from the pandemic.

Health care, public transport, roads, education, and a vast range of social services are all services our community relies on – especially our most vulnerable.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us one thing it is that the community relies most on public services.

The government must ensure our community members receive these services.

Transparency, openness, engagement and accountability are all hallmarks of a democratic society.

Privatisations – especially through deals cloaked under a veil of secrecy – are www.psaofsa.asn.au

Investment in public sector services is fundamental to leading us out of economic crisis.

Investments in our social infrastructure are just as important as in our material infrastructure. Investing in aged care, care for people with disabilities, childcare, education and health are all just as important as building roads and bridges.

Just imagine all the improvements to community facilities and affordable housing the government could create and improve.

The government must lead our economic recovery through investment in the public sector rather than simply outsourcing it to the private sector.

Fair and just working arrangements for public servants are fundamental to the provision of public services. That’s why our members need enterprise agreements built on respect and dignity. The PSA will not just continue to campaign for a well-resourced public sector – we will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of working conditions that respect and support our members while they support our community.

Members have been clear and consistent in the expression of their priorities for a new salaried agreement. Job security is PSA members’ highest priority along with protecting and maintaining hard-won conditions.

Members are resolute in opposing the government’s lazy agenda of slashing conditions and making it easier to sack people.

The public sector is the heart of a just, democratic and civilised society.

And we will do all we can to protect it.

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JOIN THE

PSA ABORIGINAL

MEMBERS’ NETWORK! A message from the President

by Michael Griffiths The President did not provide a message for this issue of the Review.

The Public Service Association (PSA)’s Aboriginal Member Network is a group for Aboriginal PSA members to come together to discuss issues in the workplace affecting Aboriginal workers, to access training and information, and to lead your union on issues affecting Aboriginal workers and communities.

With a number of public services for Aboriginal people at risk from budget cuts and privatisations, it’s more important than ever that Aboriginal members are active in the PSA. If you identify as Aboriginal and you would like to let us know that, you can update your information by logging into the PSA website and clicking on the ‘Update Details’ button on the ‘My Profile’ page so we can keep you informed about information and events for Aboriginal members.

www.psaofsa.asn.au/members

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OUR VISION

OUR MISSION

A South Australian Public Sector in which PSA members are highly valued and well-resourced, with fair and secure working conditions and entitlements.

To grow, engage and empower our membership by working collectively to effectively represent, protect and actively advance PSA members’ interests.

Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

A message from the Assistant General Secretary

PSA STRONG

IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

by Natasha Brown

This year has been a challenging one for many of us. Both the bushfire crisis and coronavirus pandemic have wrought incredible hardship on our community.

Many of our members have had to cope with the pressures of implementing the state’s emergency response and providing life-saving support to our community, while at the same time dealing with the personal impacts these disasters have had for themselves and their families. And throughout it all, our state government has continued its relentless attack on the public service – making your jobs all the more difficult by under-resourcing, undermining, cutting and privatising the government services South Australians increasingly rely on.

The strength, resilience and tenacity of our members throughout these difficult times has been outstanding. What is even more remarkable is that members are not merely coping with these challenges, you are surmounting them and achieving significant wins.

PSA Worksite Representatives (WSRs) in all agencies have been active in making sure members’ views and issues are raised and worked through collectively.

WSRs have contributed to some significant wins in their workplaces. For example, PSA WSRs in TAFE worked with members to reduce the number of positions lost as part of multiple restructures. WSRs in Residential Care worked with members to reject a move by

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management requiring 18 months notice for annual leave. There are many similar stories of PSA WSRs fighting hard for our members’ rights across all agencies.

Our PSA Organising Team has been busy working with WSRs and members through numerous restructures, matters arising from COVID-19, and other workplace changes and issues of concern to members. Our Industrial Team has supported thousands of members with individual workplace issues and had some important wins for members.

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PSA members have continued to provide an exemplary service to our community

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We are continuing to combat the scourge of insecure employment in the public sector. So far this year hundreds of PSA members have been successfully converted to ongoing including conversions to permanency for more than 130 staff in the SA Housing Authority and Country Arts SA. We are continuing to challenge agencies for misuse of term contracts where work is genuinely ongoing in nature.

We also continue to campaign strongly against public sector job cuts and privatisation as part of our long-term SA Not For Sale and I Am Essential campaigns. Members’ strong and consistent community campaigning has been producing tangible and

encouraging results. Recent research commissioned through SA Unions shows that the majority of the public now believe government-run services are cheaper and overall better than private services.

When asked what personal impact the privatisation of public services had on their day-to-day lives, more than 50% responded “negative” or “very negative” and only 4% believed that privatisation had a “very positive” impact. Sentiments of trust and support for public sector workers are also generally high.

Getting the voting public on our side and using community engagement to help us shift political debate and opinion has been an important part of our union campaign strategy since the beginning and will continue to be a significant focus moving forward.

This approach has proved very successful so far, with several major campaign wins this year including the government committing not to privatise the SA Motor Registry, backflipping on a previous decision to close three busy Service SA offices, and confirming that SA Pathology will remain in public ownership.

On top of all of these achievements, PSA members have continued to provide an exemplary service to our community, stepping up in the face of significant disruption and uncertainty and ensuring that South Australians are well supported and protected.

PSA members can take great pride in these achievements, and the wonderful work you continue to do every day, both for our community and for our union.

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attention

SSO1

IT’S TIME FOR

SSO1s

Has your classification been reviewed?

TO

You may be one of more than 5,000 SSOs who are stuck at SSO1.

Find out how the PSA can help you move up to SSO2 by taking our quick online survey.

MOVE UP!

Anyone can participate in the survey.

Get the survey link on our website:

psaofsa.asn.au/sso1reclass

THE PSA HAS LAUNCHED ITS MOVING UP CAMPAIGN TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON SSO1 RECLASSIFICATION During the last enterprise bargaining negotiations for Education staff, the PSA was successful in having the government commit to reviewing the classification of SSO1s in order to address the systemic undervaluing of School Services Officers.

The agreement requires that all SSO1s who are permanent and have been in their role for more than 12 months, or who are temporary and have been in their role for more than two years, have their roles reviewed by their school to determine if they should be reclassified to SSO2.

In Term 3 of 2019, the PSA surveyed members and other SSOs to gauge how the implementation of the agreement was progressing and to gain further insight into prolonged insecure employment for SSOs on rolling contracts.

Among other things, the survey found that: • 56% of respondents were classified at SSO1 • 39% of respondents had been told that their school can’t afford to reclassify them • 39% of respondents told us they had been made to feel guilty or discouraged from applying for reclassification.

The numbers reflect a systemic disregard for the workplace rights of an essential cohort in the public education workforce.

The Department for Education has an industrial obligation to ensure every eligible

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SSO1 is reviewed for reclassification to SSO2 by their site leader. It’s clear that this is not taking place.

12 months on, similar results The first action in the PSA’s Moving Up campaign for SSO1s was to conduct a new survey to gain further data from both PSA members and those who are yet to join our union. Early indications are that not much in the Department’s approach has changed in the past 12 months.

“ Not one principal has ever encouraged me to apply for reclassification.

”

“Nothing has ever been bought up by leadership, In previous schools I was always told if we go for a reclassification our hours may be cut. Budget issues?

Not one principal has ever encouraged me to apply for a reclassification.”

The above comment taken from the current survey, and from an experienced SSO1 with more than 20 years in an education support role, reflects a very common response from school leadership when SSOs ask about reclassification.

The PSA understands schools have budget pressures but, first and foremost, leaders have a duty to ensure their staff are treated fairly and their industrial rights are upheld.

Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Authorised by Nev Kitchin, General Secretary, Public Service Association of SA (Inc), 122 Pirie St, Adelaide 5000.

Rather than reject the SSO’s application or simply ignore the industrial responsibility to review the SSO’s classification, school leaders must advocate on behalf of their SSOs and push the Department to meet their obligations. Appropriate funding must be provided to the school to ensure no-one is disadvantaged as a consequence of staff being paid correctly.

Are you stuck at SSO1?

Whether you’re a PSA member or yet to join the PSA, if you’re an SSO1 who is permanent and have been in your role for more than 12 months, or are temporary and have been in your role for more than two years, we want to hear from you.

If you haven’t already completed our survey, you can register to receive the link on our website. Please forward this link to your SSO1 colleagues who are yet to join the PSA. We want them to see the value of collective action by getting involved in this campaign.

Next steps Data collected from the survey will support the next steps in the PSA’s campaign to address SSO1 reclassification. The PSA can only follow through with support for financial members of the union.

If you are an eligible SSO1 and not already a PSA member, now’s the time to join!

www.psaofsa.asn.au/ SSO1reclass

PSAOFSA.ASN.AU

YOUR NEW UNION WEBSITE The new PSA website launched in early June.

Check it out and register for the Members Only area at www.psaofsa.asn.au SUGGEST YOUR COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ONLINE It’s easier than ever for your public service colleagues to join online with our new online application and payment process. Tell them about it at psaofsa.asn.au/membership

TAKE ACTION PSA CAMPAIGNS

g Joinin s i Online Easy

Get all the information you need to support the PSA’s campaigns against budget cuts, privatisations and more. Take action at psaofsa.asn.au/campaigns

ACCESS YOUR CUSTOMISED MEMBERS ONLY AREA Register and log in to our new members only area to access member benefits and workplace rights information, register for training courses, keep your personal information up-to-date, and more. Get started at psaofsa.asn.au/member-login

MEMBER BENEFITS YOU CAN’T PASS UP As a PSA member you can book one of our many holiday homes, access discount shopping and metro cards, obtain legal advice and journey accident cover. Find out more at psaofsa.asn.au/member-benefits

New s Member Area

www.psaofsa.asn.au

STAY UP TO DATE – READ THE LATEST PSA AND UNION NEWS We’re posting multiple updates and news items for members every single day.

Bookmark or add our news page to your mobile home screen. Stay informed at psaofsa.asn.au/latest-news

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA

IT’S STILL NOT FOR SALE!

WHY WE ARE CAMPAIGNING FOR AN END TO PRIVATISATION

“We don’t have a privatisation agenda,” and “The best chance for our public sector to grow is under a Liberal government,” were public commitments given by the Liberal leader at a PSA pre-election forum in February 2018.

What we’ve seen since the election, however, is one budget cut and one privatisation after another. This is despite strong public opposition and mountains of evidence showing privatisation just doesn’t work.

While Labor has publicly committed to reversing the privatisation of trains and trams, they are yet to commit to ending and reversing the privatisation of other public services if they win government at the next state election.

A recent survey conducted by SA Unions has shown a clear majority of South Australians are against privatisation.

Committing to investing in public services rather than selling them should be obvious for both the government and the opposition.

Any alternative government must take a principled and committed position on privatisation.

Parliamentary inquiry needed For some time now the PSA has been calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the privatisation of public services. Recent events in what is now the Department for Infrastructure and Transport show that it can’t come soon enough.

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On August 25 it was revealed that Department for Infrastructure and Transport CE Tony Braxton-Smith had hand-picked three former Sydney-based associates for million-dollar contracts because, in his words, “the local talent pool was not up to the task”.

Answering questions from a parliamentary committee, Mr Braxton-Smith claimed he was unaware of the controversy surrounding the resignation of former New Zealand Transport Agency CE Fergus Gammie, to whom Braxton-Smith handed a $1.4 million contract to manage the privatisation of our train network.

The Advertiser reported that Gammie had resigned from his New Zealand post following a number of scandals, including the recall of around 20,000 vehicles after inspectors were suspended for sub-standard work. In one case, the substandard work caused the death of a 65 year-old man.

Mr Braxton-Smith led the rush to public transport privatisation in NSW and since being employed by the Marshall government, has overseen the slashing of jobs and the privatisation of services here in South Australia – road and

Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

needs “ toThebepublic aware of the

deals being done to enrich wealthy private sector bureaucrats and the shareholders of multinational corporations.

”

signal maintenance, trams, trains and government facilities management have all been gifted to multinationals since his arrival.

The public needs to be aware of the deals being done to enrich wealthy private sector bureaucrats and the shareholders of multinational corporations. A parliamentary inquiry will help to shine a light on these deals but also on the undermining of public sector principles, for example, expensive contracts to former associates by direct appointment.

The PSA is leading the way PSA members and allies have achieved some significant victories in 2020. We led the public campaign to stop the privatisation of SA Pathology – its world leading performance during COVID-19 no doubt focussing the government’s attention on the importance of maintaining it as a public health service.

With community allies, the PSA campaigned successfully to stop the privatisation of Service SA and the Motor Registry, and we supported the campaign that forced the government to overturn the axing of around 900 public bus stops.

In conjunction with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), the PSA has garnered considerable public opposition to the privatisation of trams and trains, and our campaign against these government decisions continues. Labor has committed to returning trams and trains to public control if their party wins government at the next election. PSA and RTBU members will need to stay active in this area to ensure Labor are held to that commitment.

Our campaign continues With Across Government Facilities Management and Road and Signal Maintenance being privatised, the Community Youth Justice Orders program and Infant Therapeutic Reunification Service under threat, and budget cuts threatening jobs and services across the public service, we have our work cut out to protect our public sector from even more harm.

PSA members can stay informed about our campaign activities and stay up to date on the latest developments by reading our regular member briefs, following our Facebook page, and regularly checking the PSA website.

PSA Facebook: @PublicServiceAssociationSA www.psaofsa.asn.au

PSA MEMBERS’ RIGHTS HOTLINE For information and advice on your working and employment conditions, contact the PSA Members’ Rights Hotline between Phone: (08) 8205 3227 8:45am – 5:00pm Email: enquiries@psaofsa.asn.au Monday to Friday.

www.psaofsa.asn.au

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For the first time in the PSA’s history our Worksite Representative’s Forum took place in cyberspace

PSA WORKSITE REPRESENTATIVE’S FORUM GOES ONLINE In August the PSA held its first ever online Worksite Representative’s Forum, and while we would rather not have to beam in WSRs and presenters in the future – there’s a lot to be said for face-to-face learning and interaction – the forum was a great success.

Worksite “ Representatives must be welltrained to lead members at their worksites.

”

Around 80 WSRs attended the all-day Zoom meeting which is a stellar effort, especially given the Zoom overload we’ve all been experiencing since the onset of the pandemic. The turnout reflects the dedication of those PSA WSRs and the excellent program organised by the PSA training team.

on the importance of WSRs in the workplace and ensuring they are educated and supported by the union. David’s research highlighted that when the activity of WSRs in the union is high, so too is union success. The key take-away: WSRs must be well-trained to lead the members at their worksites.

Opened by PSA General Secretary, Nev Kitchin, the forum highlights included excellent guest presentations from Professor of Industrial Relations at Griffith University, David Peetz, and Adelaidebased communications and marketing expert Victoria Fielding.

PSA Manager Policy and Strategy, Austin White, addressed WSRs on enterprise bargaining (EB) and the PSA’s priorities.

Austin told WSRs that the union’s EB approach is based on the democratic, responsible and accountable structures of the PSA; that it is specifically based on unanimous PSA Council resolutions and that the highest priority for PSA members is job security.

David Peetz is an authority on union membership, education and reform and is much admired in the union movement for his easy-going nature and razor-sharp wit.

His presentation, “Reps Matter”, focussed

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Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Austin reiterated that Appendix 1 (Retraining, Redeployment and

PSA MEMBER BENEFITS AND

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES For information on PSA Member Benefits, Holiday Homes, and for all of your membership enquiries, contact the PSA between 8:30am – 2:30pm Monday to Friday.

Phone: (08) 8205 3200 E: enquiries@psaofsa.asn.au

www.psaofsa.asn.au Redundancy), negotiated in the previous enterprise agreement, is based on good IR practice, good HR practice, and good vacancy and case management practice.

“The fact that the government says it is too hard to implement Appendix 1 is not a good reason to water it down,” he told WSRs. “If Appendix 1 stands between a member keeping their job and a member losing their job, then I for one as a union member will not apologise for that, and no one at the PSA will either,” he added, drawing wide applause from WSRs present.

Victoria Fielding lectures at both UniSA and Adelaide University and has been investigating what she calls Public Sector Narratives – research the PSA and other public sector unions have been drawing on as part of our campaign against privatisation.

www.psaofsa.asn.au

Her conclusions regarding the narrative South Australians use to understand the public sector are derived in part from a poll of 1000 people representing diverse demographic backgrounds in the South Australian community.

The poll shows the general sentiment in the community towards privatisation is negative, that most people believe the public sector belongs to everyone, that the vast majority believe the government should deliver public services and that services are better when run by government.

These findings debunk the narrative we hear from the state government and those looking to profit from public assets. Their pitch, believed in some quarters, is that the private sector is cheaper and more efficient. Victoria concluded that despite a dominant neoliberal framework, the public trusts and respects the public sector, and is broadly opposed to privatisation.

PSA Assistant General Secretary Natasha Brown demonstrated to members how the PSA is progressing its SA Not For Sale campaign, working both on the ground and using mainstream and social media to educate the wider public on the importance of public services and the consequent impact on them when services are privatised. The PSA is continuing to campaign strongly against the Marshall government’s privatisation agenda.

The forum provided a good opportunity for the PSA leadership, staff and WSRs to come together to discuss and further our campaign objectives in a number of strategic areas.

We look forward to the PSA Worksite Representative’s Forum in 2021 – hopefully in person!

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SOLIDARITY AT THE FIRE FRONT Six PSA members working for our State Emergency Service in Incident Management and Support roles were presented with the NSW Premier’s Bushfire Emergency Citation at SES State Headquarters on Tuesday 20 October 2020.

The citations were presented as recognition for their contribution to the unprecedented 2019/20 bushfire crisis, which NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian described in her letter to the members as “undoubtedly the worst natural disaster in the living memory of our State”.

“Your selflessness, courage and resilience caused all of us to pause and think about the true meaning of family and community … you should be incredibly proud of the part you played protecting your community when it needed you most. Your compassion, courage and generosity have earned you a special place in the history of our State,” the Premier’s letter stated.

Incident Control personnel provide incident management at major emergencies. This work includes providing logistical, planning, operational and other support services to firefighters and other emergency services personnel working on the front lines. Most of their work takes place in South Australia but at times of crisis they can deployed anywhere in the country, and sometimes overseas.

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SES Regional Operations Coordinator and PSA Worksite Representative Robert Charlton was deployed to work as a Logistics Officer at Casino in the state’s north. His role was primarily to organise catering, accommodation and transport requirements for the NSW firefighters.

“ It was a terrible

situation but an amazing opportunity to support our sister emergency services personnel interstate.

”

“Emergency services is all about supporting people and communities.

When we heard there was a need to support people in NSW we went there to help out.”

Robert said while the situation was stressful at times, SES staff are well prepared for these types of situations.

“This is something we are trained for and we are used to. There are a lot of unknowns – we didn’t know where we would be deployed to, and that can change

Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

L-R: Robert Charlton, Ruth Tovo, Andrea Geytenbeek, Milo Kuga, Derren Halleday and Corey Frazer.

quickly depending on the fire activity. While we weren’t working extremely close to the fire front, there was plenty of ash falling around us and we could smell the smoke. It was an intense time.”

Corey Frazer was deployed to NSW three times during the bushfire crisis and said it was a good feeling to be able to work with and support the NSW communities.

“We also received great support from our agency here in SA, and also from the PSA,” he added.

Derren Halleday was in NSW as a deployment manager. “I looked after all the interstate and overseas resources that were coming in to support NSW services and acted as a liaison between those personnel and the NSW agencies.

There was significant support from New Zealand, the United States and Canada, who all had resources in NSW.” Milo Kuga, who is the only volunteer in the group, was released from his role at the PSA to work in the NSW northern tablelands as a Planning Officer, Resource Officer and a Situation Officer assisting in a fire control centre at Glen Innes.

JOIN A NEW MEMBER AND WIN! You could win a $300 gift voucher at Big4 Holiday Parks simply by joining up a new member to the PSA.

DETAILS AT www.psaofsa.asn.au/members

Terms and conditions apply.

See website for details.

“This was an incredible opportunity to work alongside NSW PSA members from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the NSW Rural Fire Service and also the Roads and Maritime Service, to assist them in responding to so many big fires.”

Andrea Geytenbeek was deployed to NSW twice as a Logistics Officer, also to Casino in the Northern Rivers area. “It was a terrible situation but an amazing opportunity to support our sister emergency services personnel interstate. Many of the staff we were working with had come to South Australia to assist us with the Pinery and Sampson Flat bushfires, so it was really nice to be able to return that favour,” she said.

Ruth Tovo worked in the Northern Rivers as a Planning Officer and said it was the biggest incident she’s been involved with. “I’ve done this kind of work before on a

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smaller scale but while very challenging, this is what we do in emergency services. I think we played an important role in relieving staff who had been working without a break since early September. We were there in December so the workers were incredibly fatigued, but they kept showing up. It was great to provide those staff with some much needed respite.”

The PSA leadership congratulates our members for the recognition they’ve received as a result of their hard work and dedication to communities in NSW and for their strong commitment to public service.

i-,t-k NSW

GOVERNMENT

NSW Premier's ncy Citation Bushfire Emerge Presented to

Mr Milo Kuga Service State Emergency South Australian e to the ution and servic for your contrib ponse emergency res 20 20 1920 s NSW Bushfire

lian Gladys Berejik South Wales Premier of New

mons AFSM Shane Fitzsim Commissioner

...... ..................... ............................

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. . . . . . ..

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CHILD PROTECTION WEEK:

SA REP OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED Youth Worker Jodie Hills is the 2020 PSA Worksite Representative of the Year in the Department of Child Protection.

Each year PSA members working in Child Protection celebrate National Child Protection Week (NCPW).

It’s a time to reflect on the challenging work Child Protection Workers do to care for and support some of our most vulnerable citizens. It’s also a time when we recognise the important work carried out by our dedicated PSA Worksite Representatives (WSRs) working in the sector.

The PSA Worksite Representative of the Year Award in Child Protection is presented during this week of celebration. This year’s recipient, nominated by her peers, is Youth Worker Jodie Hills.

Jodie has been working with vulnerable young people in the Department for Child Protection (DCP) for seven years in Residential Care. While caring for and supporting young people is her primary task, as a PSA Worksite Representative, she also provides important support to her colleagues.

“Jodie always puts others first,” said the colleague who nominated her for the Award. “She is easy to talk to when you have a problem, never judges and always has good advice to help when you need it.”

PSA Acting General Secretary Natasha Brown presented Jodie with her award, noting that: “Jodie is a passionate and committed WSR who actively encourages her colleagues to join the PSA, and is a strong representative for

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members at both the Out of Home Care Consultative Forum and at our PSA Department for Child Protection WSR meetings. Jodie has been a fabulous ambassador for the PSA and a strong advocate not only for members in the house in which she works, but across DCP.”

Could you be a PSA Worksite Rep? Worksite Representatives like Jodie play a critical role in the public sector. At a time when budget cuts and privatisations are creating not only uncertainty but increased workload, it is important that PSA members have strong and active Worksite Representatives to support them.

If you don’t have a PSA Worksite Representative in your workplace, consider becoming one yourself.

Perhaps you could share the role with one or more others. You would be helping to ensure members at your workplace are informed and active around important issues, and getting the support they need.

Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Talk to your PSA Organiser or call our Members’ Rights Hotline to find out more!

Top tips for Worksite Representatives We asked Jodie what she thinks the key qualities and tasks are for PSA Worksite Representatives.

• Be aware of the issues affecting staff • Advocate for staff and their workplace rights • Join up new members to keep our union growing • Always be available to listen, and to offer support and advice • Refer staff to the PSA Members’ Rights Hotline when appropriate • Be involved in PSA meetings and PSA events • Attend PSA training • Help inform and educate staff about their rights and conditions in the enterprise agreement.

PSA CONTINUES TO

STAND FIRM

ON SALARIED AGREEMENT The PSA is standing firm on insisting that strong job security protections are maintained in any new salaried enterprise agreement.

And PSA members are strongly backing the PSA’s negotiating position in the salaried enterprise agreement negotiations.

Members have been meeting across all agencies to consider the current status of negotiations and have overwhelmingly supported this motion:

We confirm that protecting our job security, retaining our RRR provisions, and protecting our current conditions, are our highest priorities at this time.

“This meeting confirms our commitment to pursuing our objectives for a new salaried enterprise agreement.

We support the PSA standing firm in EB negotiations in pursuit of achieving our priorities.”

We reaffirm that our priorities for a new agreement are:

The government just wants to make it easy to sack people – and reduce other important conditions.

• Job protection • Maintaining our effective redeployment systems and processes • Protection from, and processes to deal with, unreasonable workloads • Maintaining all current conditions of employment • A fair and reasonable wage outcome We commit to supporting each other and standing together to pursue these priorities. www.psaofsa.asn.au

It takes strength to maintain a firm position in the face of such an ideological obsession with cutting public services, slashing public sector jobs, and reducing public sector working conditions. The easy thing to do would be to acquiesce to the government’s agenda and collaborate with them to implement it.

“ The government just

wants to make it easy to sack people – and reduce other important conditions.

”

This is something members clearly don’t want and the PSA leadership will not tolerate.

Meanwhile the PSA is continuing to negotiate and finalise enterprise agreements with a number of organisations.

Negotiations with the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust have resulted in a proposal for a new agreement which retains all existing conditions, some improvements, and a modest pay rise.

Lifeblood (Red Cross Blood Service) have also put forward a proposal which retains all existing conditions and includes improvements proposed by PSA members. West Beach Trust and Forestry SA negotiations are progressing towards proposals that would retain all conditions and modest pay rises. SA Water have concluded an agreement which retains all conditions and a modest pay outcome.

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OUT AND ABOUT WITH PSA MEMBERS

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Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

www.psaofsa.asn.au

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EASY STRETCHES FOR THE OFFICE OR HOME

Do you spend your days at work sitting at a desk? If so, you are not alone. According to SafeWork Australia, 50 percent of us spend the majority of our work day sitting down, and that can lead to poor posture, as well as strains and tightness across our muscles.

Jamie Barianos from PhysioEdge at Mile End recommends paying particular attention to your posture when you are sitting at your desk.

Stretch it out Below are some easy stretches that you can perform throughout the day to keep your body limber and injury free. Each of these exercises should be repeated three times, feeling a comfortable stretch, holding each for up to 15-20 seconds. Ideally you should perform these exercises every 1-2 hours.

Head and neck • Gently turn your head from looking left, to looking right, and back again.

• Tilt your head each way – bringing your left ear to your left shoulder, then your right ear to your right shoulder.

• Sitting upright and looking ahead, place a finger on your chin. Without moving your finger, pull your chin and head straight back until a good stretch is felt at the base of the head and top of the neck (there should now be some separation between the chin and the finger).

Back and shoulders • Sitting at your chair, twist your upper body around to the left so you are looking to the left, and slightly behind.

Repeat on opposite side.

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• Looking forward, rotate your shoulders, bringing them up and backwards in a circular motion. Repeat in a forward motion.

Stretches for standing desks Some handy hints to improve your posture are: • Placing your thumbs on your waist, bend backwards.

• With legs placed shoulder width apart, squat down and come back up again gently.

• Standing with two feet flat on the ground, gently raise your heels until they come off the floor.

Get an e-Gift Card worth up to $200.

PSA members pay less for great value health cover with Health Partners: • e-Gift Card worth up to $200 when you join Health Partners hospital and extras cover by October 30 • ongoing 6% discount Call 1300 113 113 today and quote PSA200 or get a quote online

Refer website for terms and conditions.

After work A great way to help relieve stress or reduce injury after sitting for most of the day at work is to go for a 20-minute walk at least three times per week.

“You could also engage in some other physical activity such as going to the gym, doing yoga, Pilates or a sport,” Jamie says.

“These can help general fitness, blood flow and wellbeing. It also encourages movement, which we don’t achieve when sitting at a desk most of the day.”

Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

The information contained here is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal medical situation. The information is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or used for therapeutic purposes. Should you require specific medical information, please seek advice from your healthcare practitioner. Health Partners does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided.

While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or upto-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them.

WHAT ACCESSING YOUR SUPER NOW COULD MEAN We all know that superannuation is designed to be a longterm investment to help you fund your retirement. Due to the financial impact of COVID-19, the Federal Government is temporarily allowing early access to up to $20,000 of super over two financial years. So far, across Australia over $18.1 billion has been withdrawn*. The majority of those choosing to access their super early seem to be 40 or under**.

If you’re considering withdrawing from super, first check whether you meet the eligibility criteria by visiting the Super SA website. You must generally be unemployed, been made redundant, receiving JobSeeker (or certain other Government benefits) or had your hours reduced by 20% or more since 1 January 2020. If you decide to withdraw from your super, remember that there are steps you can take to steer your retirement back on track when your financial situation improves.

Treat it like a loan One way is to consider the amount you take out of your super as a loan to yourself – and try to repay it into your super account when you can afford to.

You can use the Moneysmart Savings goals calculator to estimate how long it would take

www.psaofsa.asn.au

you to reach your savings goal. On a basic level, assuming a 6% return p.a. you would need to contribute around $391 a month for 2 years***, however this does not take into account any investment returns from the original $10,000 withdrawal.

You may be able to add more savings into super either through salary sacrifice or aftertax contributions.

Create a budget Where does your money go? Moneysmart’s Budget planner can help you work this out. The Budget planner can help you understand your spending habits by prompting you to record your expenses into categories. You can then review your budget and adjust it as you need. You might have more wiggle room than you thought!

How much will you need when you retire?

You can use Super SA Projection calculator to estimate how much your super would be in retirement under different scenarios. This tool also estimates when your super will likely run out and what actions you can take to plug any gaps. This will help you understand how much impact any amount you withdraw now may have on the money you have for retirement.

You don’t have to go it alone Free financial counselling can be found from the Moneysmart website. For more detailed, personalised one-on-one advice about your superannuation, you can speak with your own financial planner, or you can take advantage of commission-free personal financial planning advice provided by Industry Fund Services (IFS).

Ultimately, you need to do what is best for you. Super SA is here to help, please call 8207 2094 or email supersa@sa.gov.au if you have any questions we can help you with. *APRA Report, COVID-19 Early Release Scheme – Issue 10. ** ABC News article, Coronavirus financial concerns have young people accessing their superannuation. ***Figures generated on July 1 using the Moneysmart Savings goals calculator.

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Raffle closes 2 October 2020 - Winner drawn 29 October 2020

20

Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

WORKSITE REPRESENTATIVE PROFILE:

THE PSA REVIEW TOOK SOME TIME RECENTLY TO CHAT WITH WORKSITE REPRESENTATIVE AND DEDICATED PSA MEMBER

MAX BAUMANN

What do you do in the public sector?

I have been working in the public service as a Payroll Officer for more than 12 years.

I started as a Payroll Officer in the Department for Education and later transitioned to Shared Services SA in late 2008. I also had the opportunity to assist with a project in Human Resources at the Metropolitan Fire Service a few years back.

Why did you apply for your position and what appeals to you about working in the public service?

I applied for a position and became part of a pool of temporary payroll employees.

I was on contract for a couple of years before being made permanent.

I applied for the position because it perfectly fitted in with the area of study I was pursuing (Accounting).

Working in the public service appeals to me because what we do makes a huge difference to the people of the state.

While some may not see Payroll as being a front-line service to the community, we are the staff that makes sure our heroes on the front-line get paid. All public service workers should be valued and respected, regardless of their role. www.psaofsa.asn.au

What are the main challenges you see both in your role and for members across the public service as a whole?

Like in many public service workplaces across our state, the main challenge has been restructure after restructure along with staff cuts by stealth. As colleagues retire or leave, in most cases they are not replaced.

Budget cuts have resulted in workload pressures, constant overtime, accrual of excess annual leave and flexi because there is never a good time to take leave.

We have been cut down to the marrow.

There is nothing more to cut without impacting on the level of service we provide.

Has the work you do been impacted by COVID-19, and if so, how have you and your colleagues managed it?

My workplace has not been heavily impacted by COVID. As we were deemed to be an essential service by the government, we were still required to come into the office. The biggest impact has been the uncertainty that COVID has bestowed upon us.

The positive out of all of this is the kindness, concern and support that my colleagues have displayed for each

other which has made some of the more challenging aspects of COVID restrictions easier to bear.

Why did you decide to become a Worksite Representative?

I was asked by my Worksite Rep if I would like to become one, so there is some truth to the saying that “you don’t get if you don’t ask”.

The main reason I became a Rep is because having worskite representatives makes a difference in improving life and wellbeing at work. I was lucky to have a great mentor who was able to ease me into the role along with the great training the PSA has provided.

How do you support PSA members in your workplace?

I am always there to listen, provide advice, support and work through issues and advocate on behalf of members.

Why do you think public servants should join the PSA? The PSA draws its strength and power from its membership, both in numbers and by having well organised workplaces. We win not just for our members, but also for the community when we hold the line and fight the hard fight to save our services. If you care about the services we provide to the community, you should join the PSA.

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PSA HOLIDAY HOME:

PORT LINCOLN

ENJOY A PSA HOLIDAY HOME As a PSA member, you can take advantage of your member benefits and book a stay at one of our PSA holiday home units.

Our holiday units are located in some of South Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, giving you the chance to explore more regional experiences: Glenelg / Goolwa / Kangaroo Island / Port Lincoln / Robe / Port Vincent / Wirrina

Enjoy beautiful Port Lincoln!

The PSA’s Port Lincoln Holiday Home is a two-bedroom, fully contained unit, located 15 minutes walk from the central business district and foreshore. It is perfectly located to explore the town and Southern Eyre Peninsula.

wines and craft beers, as well as baked goods from the local grain and more.

Offering a range of experiences from driving the rugged coastline of Whalers Way, bushwalking in Lincoln National Park, casting a line at Coffin Bay, or just relaxing, there are options for everyone.

Port Lincoln prides itself on their seafood, but they also have a range of other produce including locally roasted coffee,

For more information on PSA Holiday Homes, check out www.psaofsa.asn.au/psaholiday-homes or contact the PSA at holidayhomes@psaofsa.asn.au to make a booking.

Port Lincoln offers excellent opportunities to get away, relax and play.

PSA

DISCOUNTED CARDS 22

Public Sector Review Magazine | OCTOBER 2020

Don’t forget, as a PSA member, you are entitled to year-round discounts of 5% off Coles, Foodland, Woolworths and Drakes gift cards. By taking advantage of your member benefits, over the course of a year your PSA membership can provide you with substantial financial savings.

Take advantage of great prices, from $335 for a weekly stay, or $90 per night when travelling in the same month as booking. Our units are perfect for families, couples and friends. PSA holiday home units are a great way to enjoy a brilliant South Australian holiday year-round, at unbeatable value.

Please see our website for full pricing details and booking conditions.

Alternatively, give our friendly Member Benefits Team a call on 8205 3200.

PSA members can also take advantage of stays at New Zealand holiday homes through our partnership with the PSA of NZ. Members can contact NZ PSA directly via holidayhomes@psa.org.nz for details once COVID-19 restrictions allow.

BOOK YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY TODAY

BIG 4 WIN FOR TWO PSA MEMBERS! PSA members Charmaine Rieck and Rebecca Mackleworth will be spending some time at a Big4 Holiday Park somewhere in South Australia after winning the September draw in the PSA’s Join a New Member and Win competition.

We welcomed SA Pathology Phlebotomist Charmaine to the PSA after she was encouraged to join by her colleague Rebecca.

Under the competition rules, both the new PSA member and their referrer go into a monthly draw for two $300 Big4 Parks vouchers.

Many people say they haven’t joined the union because they’ve never been asked. Why not talk to your colleagues about the benefits of joining and pop the question?

With budget cuts, restructures, and privatisations threatening public sector services and jobs, there’s no better time to ask your colleagues to join. The PSA represents their interests and the interests of every South Australian – the PSA plays a key role in advocating for a strong public service.

The new PSA website makes joining online easy. Just suggest your colleagues go to the membership section to find out why they should be a PSA member. Remind them to list you as the referrer when they sign up!

www.psaofsa.asn.au/ membership

THE PSA PRIDE NETWORK

meets monthly and is a network for PSA members who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex and Queer LGBTIQ+. The Pride Network provides a space for us to get together to discuss our rights at work, support each other, learn and share skills and knowledge and build LGBTIQ+ friendly cultures and structures in our workplaces.

The PSA Pride Network was formed earlier this year at a meeting for (LGBTIQ+) members to celebrate the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

On 23 November 2020, The PSA Pride Network will host its first in-person event for Feast Festival, ‘Queer at Work? Let’s talk about our rights!’

This event will be a panel discussion featuring LGBTIQ+ members of a number of unions including our own Pride Network.

We will be talking about LGBTIQ+ rights in the workplace, building support and solidarity at work, and what we still have to achieve together to build safe workplaces for LGBTIQ+ people.

This event is open to everyone and is free for union members.

Queer at work?

Let’s talk about our rights!

Monday 23 November 2020 6-8pm | Diverse-City 116 Grote Street, Adelaide

Book your tickets via the Feast website: https://www.feast.org.au/events/queer-at-work-lets-talk-about-our-rights/

www.psaofsa.asn.au

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attention

SSO1 You may be one of more than 5,000 SSOs who are stuck at SSO1.

Find out how the PSA can help you move up to SSO2 by taking our quick online survey.

Anyone can participate in the survey.

Get the survey link on our website:

psaofsa.asn.au/sso1reclass

Authorised by Nev Kitchin, General Secretary, Public Service Association of SA (Inc), 122 Pirie St, Adelaide 5000.

Has your classification been reviewed?