Corrective Services

Union wins wage increase

1. PUBLIC SECTOR SALARIES AWARD
On 6th December, the Industrial Relations Commission made an award, which secured the remaining instalments of the PSA's 16% increase under the Public Sector Salaries Award.

Those payments are:

§ 3% from January 2002;
§ 4% from January 2003;
§ 5% from July 2003.

The PSA filed the award claim on 12th November.

The reason it was necessary to lodge the claim and appear before the Industrial Relations Commission at the virtual halfway mark of the 16% rise was because no award can cover more than three years.

In this case, the payments, totalling the 16% increase, span a four and a half-year period.

"This is a marvellous if not totally unexpected victory and a handsome Christmas present for PSA members", said PSA General Secretary, Maurie O'Sullivan.

2. STRUCTURE OF THE POVB EXECUTIVE
The POVB is governed by a four-person executive who are elected each two years by the total membership. They comprise a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary and a Vice-Chair representing country members. Members of the executive are called upon to devote a great deal of their free time to Union matters on behalf of individuals and also sub-branches.

Their role is totally honorary and no payment is made, so if you feel that your matter is not being dealt with as quickly as you would wish always remember there are approximately 3,000 members of the POVB but only four members of the executive.

3. PRISON OFFICERS' AWARD CLAIM
Late in 2001 the PSA lodged an application for a new award covering members of the POVB.

Because of the Public Sector Salaries Award (see above), no claim for improved salaries can be made at this time so the focus has been on improved conditions of employment. Some of the matters, which we are seeking to review, are as follows:

§ Payment of higher grade pay after one day or more performing duties of a higher capacity.
§ Payment of a long service increase after 10 years of service to encourage officers to remain in the Service.
§ The introduction of Peer Support Co-ordinator Officer at Senior Correctional Officer level.
§ Increase in Casual Court Officer's Allowance.
§ Conversion of Casual Courts Shifts to permanent positions.
§ Daylight Saving Payment.

Working parties have been set up with officers from the department to progress the claim.

4. PSA PROVIDENT FUND
By joining the PSA you automatically became entitled to the benefits of Provident Fund membership.

The Provident Fund provides a benefit of $3,500 to the nominated beneficiaries upon the death of a member. Payments are usually made within a few days of a claim. Payments are made to the beneficiaries of 55-70 deceased members each year.

Make sure your nominated beneficiary is current especially if you have entered into a new relationship since you joined the Union.

5. WHAT IS A SCAB?
There has been some debate recently about what is meant by the word "SCAB". Here are 3 excerpts from dictionaries:

OXFORD Scab - 4. One who continues to work during a strike, takes a striker's place or refuses to join a union, etc.; blackleg.

MACQUARIE Scab - 2. (arch.) mean low fellow. 3. Person who refuses to join strike or trade union or takes striker's place or breaks rules of his trade or group.

WEBSTERS Scab - b. (1): one who refuses to join a union (2): a member of a union who refuses to strike or returns to work before a strike has ended.

The Psalm of the Scab

The dues paying member is my shepherd,
I shall not want,
He provideth me with rest days and vacations,
So that I may lie down in green pastures,
Besides the still waters,
He restoreth my back pay,
He guideth my welfare without cost to me.
I stray in the paths of the non-righteous,
For my monies sake,
Yea though I alibi and pay no dues,
From generation to generation, I fear no evil,
For he protects the working conditions which he provides,
They comfort me.
He annointeth my head with the oil of the workers' compensation,
Sick pay, Annual Leave and Long Service Leave.
And the 38 hour week,
Any my cup runneth over with ingratitude.
Surely his goodness and mercy,
Shall follow me all the days of my life,
Without cost to me,
And I shall dwell in his house forever,
And allow him to pay the bill.

As reported in the Judgement of Commissioner McKenna in the Hospital Employees (STATE) award 3 October 1997.

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/campaigns/corr_services/20020307_64.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005