Last week the CPSU NSW met with Life without Barriers (LWB) to discuss matters members had raised with the Union.
Changes to the leave submission deadline
CPSU NSW delegates highlighted there had not be any consultation regarding the change in process which shortened the time frame for leave requests. The time frame was reduced to 3 days from 2 weeks. In response, LWB advised that there was no change in process, rather the request to provide leave applications was for planned leave so LWB could manage unnecessary overtime and avoid hiring agency staff. Leave submitted after the deadline would still be considered but it would be more difficult to approve.
Changes to Contracted Hours
The CPSU NSW also raised concerns regarding the closure of houses or changes to houses which affect members’ contracted hours. LWB confirmed that if there is a situation where contracted hours cannot be met, then members have three possible options: reduce hours, maintain hours but make them up at a location elsewhere, or take a redundancy. If a member does not want to reduce their hours, a member is entitled to redundancy. The CPSU NSW responded and advised LWB that while senior management have made these options clear to the CPSU NSW, members at the local level are not necessarily made aware that redundancy is an option by their direct managers.
Members are welcome to submit questions for the next meeting between the Union and LWB. The next meeting is due at the end of October.
Your CPSU NSW staff are:
