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.
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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
