Queensland Public Sector Union

Core enterprise bargaining conference

QPSU delegates met on 4-5 March to plan the collective campaign for new agreements in 2009.

Delegates have completed their log of claims, setting out the areas the priorities for improved working conditions that we will take to the government following the state election on 21 March.

During the state election period, we are unable to continue negotiations with the government over new collective agreements.

However, delegates are continuing to work in all of their workplaces to continue our campaign for better working lives.

After the Governor swears in a new ministry following the state election, we will be in a position to continue our campaign for improved working conditions.

All members have been sent a report on the conference by post. You can also download a copy from our website:http://www.qpsu.org.au/core09.

Springborg plans a threat to the public sector

QPSU members are campaigning hard this state election to protect their jobs.

Lawrence Springborg has announced plans to strip billions of dollars from agencies across government if he is elected Premier.

On 2 March he announced a plan to cut $3 billion in funding over 3 years to pay for his election commitments.

He asserted that it was possible to save $3 billion without sacking workers, instead abolishing vacant positions in a process of ‘natural attrition’.

However, analysis of budget figures reveals that the maximum amount Mr Springborg could save through ‘natural attrition’ over 3 years would be $656 million – $2.3 billion short of his target.

How much would the Springborg cuts cost your agency?

Education, Training and the Arts - $765,443,868
Queensland Health - $759,096,809
Transport - $228,094,385
Police - $142,410,919
Main Roads - $132,981,820
Disability Services Queensland - $111,880,711
Department of Local Government - $92,473,835
Emergency Services - $85,259,188
Department of Communities - $78,624,039
Department of Housing - $66,053,537
Department of Mines and Energy - $57,056,312
Department of Child Safety - $53,690,286
Department of Natural Resources and Water - $52,119,846
Department of Public Works - $49,718,398
Department of Justice and Attorney-General - $46,937,282
Department of Corrective Services - $46,327,142
Environmental Protection Agency - $37,254,315
Department of Primary Industries - $32,935,060
Department of Premier and Cabinet - $27,720,282
Department of Tourism - $24,897,960
Department of Employment and Industrial Relations - $19,582,525
Department of Infrastructure and Planning - $14,535,934
Other governmental agencies - $5,942,511
TOTAL: $2,939,299,772

On top of his $3 billion cuts to pay for election promises, he has also indicated he wants to balance the state budget within 4 years.

This will require massive additional cuts to the budget - $2.9 billion in the financial year 2011/2012. These cuts would destroy thousands of jobs across all agencies and dramatically reduce the quality of Queensland’s public services.

Everything QPSU members have campaigned so hard for over the last few years – greater job security, a strong wages offer, reasonable workloads – now hangs in the balance in this state election.

QPSU members are fighting hard to protect their jobs. You can see their photos and add your own on our special campaign website – www.de-necessary.com.

Queensland Health EB7

The Agreement was certified on 29 January 2009. Queensland Health has advised that backpay has now been paid to employees.

The first meeting of the EB implementation Group was held on Thursday 26 February.

A change in process has occurred in that where an issue is being escalated from the District Consultative Forum that cuts across more than one agreement, the escalation point will be to the Reform Coordinating Group. So if an issue involved employees covered by the HP agreement and EB7 and it was not resolved at the DCF it will go to the Reform Coordinating Group.

The QPSU raised that there is a need to have an implementation plan for issues that need to be progressed under EB7. QLD Health has agreed to develop an implementation plan for endorsement by the EB7 implementation group.

Clinical Coders

EB7 has a provision that the Clinical Coders review would be completed by 31 December 2008.

The Deputy Director-General of Corporate Services has endorsed recommendations for a process to identify and reclassify clinical coders with specific levels of experience and coding proficiency.

Queensland Health, in consultation with the QPSU and ASU, will now proceed to formalise a process for the creation of AO4 level coding positions to be filled by suitably qualified and experienced employees.

Queensland Public Health Sector Certified Agreement (No. 7) 2008 (EB7) includes a commitment to make eligible reclassifications effective from 1 September 2008.

Clinical coders who are interested in receiving specific information about this process could you please email health@qpsu.org.au to register your interest in receiving updates on this project.

HP Update

• Phase2 Work Level evaluations are continuing. Notification of outcomes is expected to occur in the 2nd quarter of 2009.
• An appeals process for those who are dissatisfied with the way their roles are evaluated is currently being developed
• PDA is being paid to permanent employees. Clinical emergency on call and HEI are being rolled out through the districts. Back pay from 1st September 2007 is included in the pay period 11th March 2009. If you are unsure about your back pay of PDA, you should in the first instance contact your local HR for clarification.
• The HEI grievance resolution process is also being refined and developed.
• QPSU delegates are still very concerned about the length of time it has taken to deliver the back pay for call outs. Delegates are meeting with Health on Friday and will hopefully be able to provide some more information on this.

If you have further queries about the information provided here please email hp@qpsu.org.au.

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Published / Updated: 13.03.2009 11:13