There is little, if any, satisfaction, in being proven correct after the event. Last week’s disastrous rain event on the North Coast of NSW is one such example. We have been arguing for months with Serco that greater protections were necessary for its employees in the event of natural disaster, but they are not listening. Before discussing current entitlements and what we are fighting for, the CPSU NSW extends its thoughts and support to all members who were impacted by recent flooding and have opened its own relief fund for members, as detailed below.
Members know we are trying to formulate an Enterprise Agreement with Serco that would provide you with a more comprehensive suite of employment conditions. Nothing can demonstrate more the shortfall of your current arrangements on the modern Award, nor the lack of surety that an Enterprise Agreement brings (which is why Serco is opposing one) than the current circumstances.
If you have been unable to attend work over the last week on account of the flood impacting your home or your travel route, there is no specific leave available under the modern Award. You are not entitled to compassionate leave, and can only draw on your personal or annual leave to cover your blameless absence.
We have been arguing with Serco for months that, given Clarence’s location, it is prone to disruption from weather events or natural disaster and compassionate leave should be extended for those circumstances. To date these common sense pleas have fallen, like our arguments for better pay and other conditions, on the company’s deaf ears.
It is inadequate. It is mean-spirited. It is not what a reasonable employer would do. It is Serco.
That said, Serco have previously proudly boasted that some other grant of special leave would and has previously applied in such circumstances. Please let us know if you have been disadvantaged over the last few weeks so we can take up your case.
Volunteers with the SES are entitled to five days’ leave during the “disaster period”, according to Serco policy. Once again, this entitlement is in policy where Serco can change it on its whim alone. It is not adequate and something we will continue to argue to change. But if you have been denied this leave, please again do not hesitate to contact us.
The scenes of devastation coming out of your area and particularly Grafton and Lismore have been shocking for us all. The PSA/CPSU NSW Executive has established an Emergency Relief Fund for members impacted by the flood. Details can be found HERE.
Our scheduled Enterprise Bargaining meeting on 3 March 2022 which was foreshadowed in our last Bulletin was postponed due to illness of one of Serco’s team. We are meeting again on Thursday 10 March 2022. The above matters and others will be on the agenda.
Finally some good news. Congratulations to your newly nominated Delegates, who join Tammy Priddle, Ryan Claus, Steve Nagle and Ty Marsh. We will providing them training to better support you, and in turn please extend them your gratitude for the often thankless task of representing you.
You can join the CPSU NSW HERE.
