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OFF AND RUNNING (the PABO, not the inmates)

OFF AND RUNNING (the PABO, not the inmates)

Yesterday (Thursday 1 July)  your Union appeared in the Fair Work Commission on your behalf to seek a Protected Action Ballot Order (PABO).

A PABO is essentially a postal vote of all CCO CPSU NSW members who will be covered by the proposed agreement as to whether they are in favour of taking industrial action or not.  This ballot contains about 15 potential forms of action, from stoppages to partial work bans to public statements.  All of them are designed to show Serco that we are serious about you getting a fair go at work.

Serco partially opposed the order on some procedural points, but the good news is we were successful at this first step and the PABO will now proceed.

Here is what happens next:

1. All CPSU NSW members who are substantively CCOs and thus will be covered by the proposed agreement will receive voting papers in the mail from the Australian Electoral Commission
2. Members need to complete their ballots and return them in the mail before voting closes on 20 July 2021
3. Provided at least half of the employees who receive ballot papers vote, and at least half of those votes are in favour of the industrial action, then the AEC makes a declaration and the actions may then commence
4. Not all of the proposed actions need to occur at once, or all together, or at all. They are options that we can strategically roll out after giving five days’ notice to Serco of our intention to do so.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Make sure your postal details on the CPSU NSW membership system are correct as this is where your ballot papers are mailed to. Don’t leave this to chance – it takes a few minutes to check and do it in the next few days!  There are three ways you can check or update your details:

• Online at cpsunsw.org.au
• Through Tom Whitton at Grafton District Office during business hours on 0438 775 462
• Through the PSA/CPSU NSW’s Member Support Centre on 1300 772 679

2. VOTE! The more of our members that express support for the industrial action the stronger the message to Serco even before you may take it is that you are not happy with their paltry offer and want better!

IMPORTANT NOTE : Only CPSU NSW members can vote in this ballot.  And only CPSU NSW members can take protected industrial action if it is approved and required.  There is no more important time to be a member, have your say, support your colleagues and stand united.  Speak to your fellow CCO’s and make sure they have joined up!

If you have queries about any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact the MSC or any of your Clarence Correctional Centre delegates :

Tammy Priddle

Alex Paull

Thomas Bloomquist

Tyson Franke

Finally, Correctional Supervisors – you are not forgotten and we will have further word on your proceedings next week.