Wide Open Roads Bullying in the Workplace
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JULY–SEPTEMBER 2017 WIDE OPEN ROADS The PSA’s regional organisers BULLYING IN THE WORKPLACE What you can do to make a difference MARK TEDESCHI ...and justice for all PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION POST OFFICE APPROVED OF NEW SOUTH WALES PP 255003/01563 ISSN 1030-0740 Call us! 13 61 91 OUT with the OLD IN with the NEW Make it happen with an SCU Fixed Rate Car Loan Super low fixed rate Flexible repayment options Fast approval All applications are subject to SCU normal lending criteria. Fees, charges, terms & conditions apply. Sydney Credit Union Ltd ABN 93 087 650 726 I Australian Credit Licence Number 236476 I AFSL 236476. All information is correct as at 20/06/2017 and subject to change. For further information, please call 13 61 91 or visit www.scu.net.au. JULY–SEPTEMBER 2017 CONTENTS News 4 PSA members win a 2.5 per cent pay rise From the General Secretary 10 The fight ahead President’s message 12 Australia’s trade union movement takes stock From the Acting Asst General Secretary 14 The tragedy of privatising Disability Services Member profile 15 Seventeen years at RMS 18 Annual conference 16 A first for the first nations Cover story 18 Mark Tedeschi on the law and unionism Bullying 24 When work goes bad 26 Wide open roads 26 On the beat with the PSA’s regional organisers Your money 31 How to save for a better retirement Our money 32 The PSA’s annual financial statements 24 PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES Managing Editor Stewart Little, General Secretary PSA Head Office Issue Editors Murray Engleheart and Jason Mountney A 160 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW GPO Box 3365, Sydney NSW 2001 Art Direction Michael Blythe T 1300 772 679 F (02) 9262 1623 Printers Spotpress, (02) 9549 1111 W www.psa.asn.au E [email protected] www.spotpress.com.au Membership Section Enquiries PSA Communications Unit, 1300 772 679 T 1300 772 679 E [email protected] RED TAPE | 3 NEWS PUGH IN THE FIGHT FOR NORTHERN RIGHTS ASREN Pugh is the PSA’s new regional organiser, working from the soon-to-be- relocated Lismore office. Pugh has been on the road in northern NSW, visiting members throughout the region. He is pictured here talking with members at the Acmena Juvenile Justice facility in South Grafton. To read more on the role of PSA regional organisers, go to page 26 . Pictured left to right: Raymond Smith (secretary), Asren Pugh, Jo-Anne Katon (delegate), Kevin King (chairperson), Jodi Rigg (delegate), Ben Bursle (vice- chairperson), Gino DiCandilo (acting PSA industrial officer). RADICAL ACTION REQUIRED 2.5 PER CENT PAY RISE AWARDED JUVENILE Justice has seen a growth in authorities need to better monitor former PSA members will now have 2.5 per cent the radicalisation of young offenders in detainees once they are in the community. extra in their pay packets, thanks to a rise its care. “What we are seeking from the negotiated by their union. The PSA is working to protect its Government is a separate centre to house The one-year increase came after 95 per members, other staff, detainees and, these young offenders who are a great cent of the more than 4000 PSA members worryingly, the wider community by risk to themselves, our staff and our who voted agreed to accept the 2.5 per demanding the system separate offenders members,” says Bond. cent agreement. according to the risks they pose. “We need a purpose-built centre. Let’s There is no trade off of conditions. “Our concern is particularly with young put these provisions in – keep us safe; The 2.5 per cent pay rise is the maximum offenders that are now identified as keep them safe – put some boundaries available under the Government’s wages terrorists,” says the PSA’s senior industrial around their behaviour and hopefully we’ll policy, and sits above the 1.9 per cent wage officer Julie Bond. turn them around and end up with model price index. In one recent event, a detainee citizens, rather than the next step, which In a bulletin to members, General threatened to behead staff and police. is Corrective Services. Secretary Stewart Little wrote, “The The radicalisation comes from ‘model new PSA leadership is determined to detainees’ who ensure they do nothing in provide members with greater certainty detention to get themselves removed from “WE BELIEVE WE ARE into the future and will push to have other inmates, all the while leading other the productivity gains made by workers offenders into more radical Islamic beliefs. ONE ASSAULT AWAY recognised in future pay rises, as well as “They are very compliant,” says Bond. FROM A DEATH” longer-term pay rises to ensure certainty “They’re very understanding of what they for members. need to do, but they are actually gaining “These pay rises are won through the other detainees into their religion with a “Assaults are increasing. We had seven efforts of PSA members paying their view to hurt another young offender or in one four-week period in Cobham – kicks membership dues and campaigning one of the officers.” to the gut, one officer receiving seven together. Stronger outcomes can be won According to Bond, the PSA has warned stitches to the head, gashes on legs...” with more members building a stronger the Department of Justice “we believe we Shadow Correctives Minister, Guy union, so encourage your colleagues to are just one assault away from a death”. Zangari, has supported the PSA’s join the PSA. There is also a risk of a fatality occurring demands for separate facilities and has “With this pay rise secured, the PSA will outside the Juvenile Justice system, when asked the union provide him concerns focus on filling vacant positions, improving a young, angry, radicalised offender is and proposed solutions to create and safe access to flexible work conditions and released. The PSA therefore believes environment for both clients and staff. improving job security.” 4 | RED TAPE NEWS PSA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF NPWS THE PSA and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have celebrated the service’s 50 years of operation. The union and members had a celebratory dinner at Tumut and recognised the area’s NPWS employees with more than 20 years’ service: Loren Sturt, Alma Hurst, Stephen Cathcart, Megan Bowden, David Pearce and Steven Carter. The event was covered by the Tumut and Adelong Times and other media. In 1967, NPWS was created, replacing a variety of government bodies and taking responsibility for 25 national parks, state parks and historic sites. NSW already had a long association with the national parks movement. In 1879, an area south of Sydney became only the world’s second national park. In 1954, the reserve was renamed Royal National Park and, in 1967, its care entrusted to the new NPWS. The NPWS now cares for 872 reserves covering 7 million hectares – covering more than eight per cent of the state. Its workers look after a diverse array of landscapes ranging from the deserts Clockwise from top left: PSA organiser Latu Sailosi; ranger Megan Bowden receives a of Mungo National Park, to the alpine certificate for 20 years’ service from PSA manager Nathan Bradshaw; NPWS rangers peaks around Mount Kosciuszko, to the discuss the OEH’s planned award variation with PSA representatives. subtropical Arakwal National Park in the far north of the state; all in a national park preservation and protection of cultural state’s wilderness since 1928. They network that last year attracted nearly and historic significant sites. are responsible for areas as diverse as 40 million visitors. Cultural preservation extends to the harbourside historic military sites, marine In its 50 years of operation, the NPWS joint co-management agreements with reserves, busy national park picnic sites has been the lead agency in conservation local Aboriginal communities in place in and remote wilderness. in NSW, preserving, protecting and 255 of the state’s parks and reserves. “Our union is proud to stand up for the managing its diverse landscapes, flora The service also provides regional areas people who protect our national parks and fauna. of the state with vital, meaningful, well- for the people of NSW,” says PSA General The organisation’s employees are remunerated jobs. Secretary Stewart Little. “We are proud to responsible for fire-hazard reduction, Originally called ‘crown field officers’, be part of the 50-year anniversary of this fire-fighting, pest and weed control, park rangers have been caring for the vital movement.” expand its presence in Lithgow and Maitland. ABC Radio ran REGIONAL JOBS SAFE interview with the PSA about the issue just before midday on Wednesday 31 May. IN another win for regional NSW, pressure from the PSA through Then, just before 4.30pm that day, Stephen Brady, Deputy the media forced the Office of State Revenue (OSR) to reverse Secretary, OSR issued a statement to the media which reversed a decision that would have seen job losses in the Lithgow their planned move and will keep the jobs in regional centres. Collection Centre and further losses in Maitland. “We have listened to feedback from the community and staff The OSR announced that as positions became vacant over the members in the Office of State Revenue (OSR) about the Lithgow next 20 months, they would be filled in Gosford. and Maitland Collection Centre positions moving to the new The PSA had already expressed its concerns to management Gosford office through natural attrition.” at the Peak Consultative Committee on 16 May around the loss The PSA is continuing to fight to keep fees and fines jobs in the of jobs from Lithgow and Maitland.