News

Monday, 29 March 2021

Life Without Barriers: Joint Consultative Committee meeting


Joint Consultative Committee Meeting – March 2021 (PDF version)

Your CPSU NSW representatives and workplace delegates Darren Borrow and Graeme Fernance attended a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting on 4 March 2021.

Following agenda issues discussed on behalf of CPSU members at JCC summary below:    

Health & Safety – COVID-19 update

LWB updated CPSU NSW on the start of COVID-19 vaccinations which the NSW Government has started to roll out across NSW. The vaccinations will be made available to staff over the next few months, starting in NSW Central and Group Homes. Requirements for the wearing of face masks in Group Homes is being relaxed as per NSW Health Guidelines.

New NDIS Worker Screening check

LWB will soon be update staff on new requirements that came into effect February 2021. More information can be found on the NDIS website HERE.

Mentoring and support for newly recruited staff

Your union has previously raised concerns around DSW taking on mentoring and training of new staff. As a result of our advocacy, LWB has developed a new three-day induction program that the union hopes will relieve some of the extra mentoring and training that DSW’s have had to perform.

Payroll issue  

Previous issues relating to payment of leave loading, and alleged underpayments are still ongoing with no final outcome. LBW has committed to report back to the CPSU NSW once these issues have been investigated and resolved. 

On call review

The working group met again 10 March 2021 and will provide recommendations back to JCC committee. The CPSU NSW requested delegate representation on the working group.

Staff working shifts during Recreation Leave

DSWs should not be taking additional hours while on leave. However, LWB raised the matters of financial loss (additional hours or OT) and will consider on a case by case basis.

Team Leaders being contacted while on leave

The CPSU NSW also raised concerns about the expectation of Team Leaders to be available whilst on leave. LWB agreed that Team leaders are not to be contacted when not on shift, unless in exceptional circumstances such as an Incident Report.

Bullying as a WHS issue

The CPSU NSW raised concerns about staff experiencing bullying behavior and/or unreasonable demands from clients and guardians.

The CPSU NSW and LWB management agree that such incidents are to be reported and to ensure that there is an appropriate escalation process. There will be an additional meeting about this issue on 1 April 2021 to discuss in more detail.

 

The next JCC meeting is scheduled for June 2021. 

If you have concerns about any of the issues above, or about anything else work-related please contact the CPSU NSW.

Know someone who is not a member?

Join the CPSU online at cpsunsw.org.au/join.

Contact the CPSU NSW

Industrial Officer Mark Knight  

Organisers
Ian Little
Vivette Horrex   

Delegates
Darren Borrow

Graeme Fernance  

CPSU NSW Member Support Centre
1300 772679