Queensland Public Sector Union Newsroom RSS feed http://www.qpsu.org.au http://qpsu.org.au/images/logo.jpg http://qpsu.org.au/ http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2332 N O T I C E A GENERAL MEETING of QUEENSLAND PUBLIC SECTOR UNION OF EMPLOYEES WILL BE HELD AT MEZZANINE LEVEL, BRISBANE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE CNR. MERIVALE AND GLENELG STREETS, SOUTH BRISBANE ON WEDNESDAY, 1ST SEPTEMBER, 2010 AT 1.00 P.M. PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE COUNCIL MEETING A G E N D A CONSIDERATION OF THE ANNUAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR 2009. Sat, 31 Jul 2010 09:44:02 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2331 A negotiation updatehas been added tothe HPStronger Together web site. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:08:29 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2330 QUEENSLAND PUBLIC SECTOR UNION OF EMPLOYEES requires Industrial Officer (Membership Services Centre) ($2,637.85- $2,867.00 per fortnight) The Queensland Public Sector Union (QPSU) is a union with 31,000 members employed in the Queensland Public Sector, Queensland Health, Universities and private health and pathology. This position will work within the Union s Membership Services Centre, which provides industrial advice and support to individual members, including over the telephone. This position is based in the Brisbane Office. The Union staff conditions and details are available to applicants. APPLICATIONS for THIS POSITION should be marked Confidential and posted to - Kate Flanders, A/General Secretary QPSU, Post Office Box 15175 City East Q 4002 by 12 noon on Friday 13 August 2010. Details of Job Description and Selection Criteria are available upon application to the A/General Secretary or phone (07) 3017 6110, toll free 1800 177 244 or by email at rml@qpsu.org.au Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:50:18 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2329 Dear Member, I want to talk to you about building a stronger, better resourced and more effective union. Queensland s public sector workers face many challenges every day workplace harassment; heavy workloads; a culture of public sector independence that is often under attack. I believe the only way to meet these challenges is to build a stronger union that can recruit more members and put more resources into getting outcomes for members. That s why our QPSU executive is in discussion with the Australian Services Union, Central and Southern Queensland Branch (ASU), with the aim of creating a new organisation, Unite Queensland. Information on these plans is in the latest copy of the QPSU Journal, Public Sector Voice, which you should be receiving over the next few weeks. The ASU is a union that is familiar already to thousands of Queensland Health workers and workers in universities. In Queensland Health the QPSU and ASU have sometimes struggled to reach their full ability to win better working conditions due to the situation where the two are in competition for membership. Unite Queensland will end the division that has stopped us from building a stronger, better resourced and more effective union in Health. It will give us greater focus across the public sector and create more opportunity to have workers engaged and active in their union. The discussions about Unite Queensland are still continuing. Members of our QPSU Council will be called upon to make a decision on 1 September on whether to endorse the amalgamation and then send a proposal to a full ballot of QPSU and ASU members so you will have your chance to vote. There will be more discussions over the coming weeks. If you have questions, you can email amalgamation@qpsu.org.au. The Public Sector Voice is available online and you can read about the proposal there. There will also be more information on the QPSU website shortly. It s important that we get this process right so that Unite Queensland can empower workers to build strength and take on workplace challenges. Thanks for your support of your union colleagues and I hope you will join me in creating a stronger, better resourced and more effective union. In union, Vivienne PS: We have also updated the front page of the website to cover this issue and will put more links there soon to make it easy for members to find out more! This is an historic time for our union and very exciting. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:47:28 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2328 In this edition HP Stronger Together: Campaign Update Amalgamation offers the chance to build a stronger union Save money & make your union stronger by changing the way your pay your fees Union amalgamation opportunity to strengthen campaigns for wages & conditions Not charity justice: Union Aid Abroad Who are the ASU? This Federal election important for Queensland s services and workers Notice of proposed Rules changes Notice to all members: union amalgamation Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:29:20 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2327 This is just a quick reminder to get your tips in for Round 21 of the tipping competition. GAMES THIS WEEK Round: 21 BULLDOGS v. RABBITOHS ANZ Stadium PANTHERS v. COWBOYS CUA Stadium EELS v. ROOSTERS Parramatta WESTS TIGERS v. SHARKS Leichhardt Oval STORM v. RAIDERS AAMI Park WARRIORS v. TITANS Mt Smart BRONCOS v. DRAGONS Suncorp Stadium KNIGHTS v. SEA EAGLES Energy Aust. WEEKLY WINNERS I am sure you will not be surprised to learn that none of us managed to tip every game correctly last round, but quite a few got 7 right. If you are one of three or less tippers to tip every game correctly in a round you will score a $20 gift voucher. See the competition rules for details about eligibility. PRIZE DRAW This round is a prize draw round. One eligible tipper (see competition rules) will be drawn from the combined pool of AFL and NRL tippers. The lucky tipper will score themselves a $50 gift voucher. PRIZES You can find the details for the prizes within either the rules or FAQ on the competition website. In summary: i) each week, if you are only one of three people to tip every game correctly in that round, you will score a $20 voucher; ii) every couple of weeks there will be a random prize draw of the eligible active tippers (see below), the drawn tipper will score a $50 gift voucher or other prize; iii) at the end of the competition there will be great prizes for first, second and third places, as well as the person who gets the wooden spoon (where the tipper must have tipped most of the rounds during the competition). An eligible tipper is someone who is a financial member* of the QPSU who is an active tipper. * The tipper must be a financial member in the week they win the prize. In some cases eligibility also extends to the partner of financial QPSU members. See the competition rules for more about eligibility for prizes and the awarding of prizes. RULES, TIPS AND OTHER COMPETITION RESOURCES ON THE WEB SITE If you haven't do so already, please take a moment to read the competition rules, which are available from the competition web site www.qpsu.org.au/nrl. Also on the site is some useful tips for tippers, the answers to some frequently asked questions, details about the competition sponsors, and some information about the prizes this year. LODGING YOUR TIPS The process for lodging tips is explained in the help files mentioned above. However, by way of a quick summary, visit www.qpsu.org.au/nrl. Select either Log In, Competition Summary or Tippers. Enter your Tipping Alias and Password. You will be presented with a list of games for the current Round. Select which team you think will win each game. Submit your tips. PRINT AND KEEP THE CONFIRMATION SCREEN. You can change your tips at any point before the close of the round. If you have any problems with lodging your tips you can email them to webmaster@qpsu.org. As long as your email is received before the close of the round, your tips will be accepted. END OF COMPETITION PRIZES Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors (Hall Payne Lawyers, Slater & Gordon Lawyers and Union Shopper), there are great prizes for the 2010 competition are bigger and better than ever: First Prize - $400 Second Prize - $250 Third Prize - $125 Wooden Spoon - $50 SLATER & GORDON LAWYERS Established 75 years ago, Slater & Gordon has built a powerful reputation as a law firm which fights for the best outcomes for everyday Australians. Today Slater & Gordon offers its broad range of legal services at more locations than any other law firm in the country, delivering affordable legal advice and justice to more Australians. Specialised in all Personal Injury claims, Asbestos related illnesses, Commercial litigation, Family law, Industrial & Employment law and Wills/Estates claims, our team of experienced lawyers aim to protect your legal rights. For all your legal needs call our obligation free helpline on 1800 555 777 or visit www.slatergordon.com.au GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY TIPPING Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:24:29 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2326 Just in case you haven't done so already, this is just a quick reminder to lodge your tips in for Round 18 of the AFL comp. GAMES THIS WEEK Round: 18 ESSENDON v. ST.KILDA Etihad Stad (N) COLLINGWOOD v. CARLTON The MCG PORT ADELAIDE v. HAWTHORN AAMI Stadium SYDNEY v. GEELONG ANZ Stadium (N) BRISBANE v. MELBOURNE The Gabba (N) RICHMOND v. ADELAIDE The MCG W. BULLDOGS v. NORTH MELBOURNE Etihad Stadium FREMANTLE v. WEST COAST Subiaco WEEKLY WINNERS Last round none of us tipped every game correctly! But quite a few of us did get 7 right. Wow! Don't forget, if you are one of three or less tippers to tip every game correctly in a round you will score a $20 gift voucher. See the competition rules for details about eligibility. PRIZE DRAW This round is a prize draw round. One eligible tipper (see competition rules) will be drawn from the combined pool of AFL and NRL tippers. The lucky tipper will score themselves a $50 gift voucher. PRIZES You can find the details for the prizes within either the rules or FAQ on the competition website. In summary: i) each week, if you are only one of three people to tip every game correctly in that round, you will score a $20 voucher; ii) every couple of weeks there will be a random prize draw of the eligible active tippers (see below), the drawn tipper will score a $50 gift voucher or other prize; iii) at the end of the competition there will be great prizes for first, second and third places, as well as the person who gets the wooden spoon (where the tipper must have tipped most of the rounds during the competition). An eligible tipper is someone who is a financial member* of the QPSU who is an active tipper. * The tipper must be a financial member in the week they win the prize. In some cases eligibility also extends to the partner of financial QPSU members. See the competition rules for more about eligibility for prizes and the awarding of prizes. RULES, TIPS AND OTHER COMPETITION RESOURCES ON THE WEB SITE If you haven't do so already, please take a moment to read the competition rules, which are available from the competition web site www.qpsu.org.au/AFL. Also on the site is some useful tips for tippers, the answers to some frequently asked questions, details about the competition sponsors, and some information about the prizes this year. LODGING YOUR TIPS The process for lodging tips is explained in the help files mentioned above. However, by way of a quick summary, visit www.qpsu.org.au/AFL. Select either Log In, Competition Summary or Tippers. Enter your Tipping Alias and Password. You will be presented with a list of games for the current Round. Select which team you think will win each game. Submit your tips. PRINT AND KEEP THE CONFIRMATION SCREEN. You can change your tips at any point before the close of the round. If you have any problems with lodging your tips you can email them to webmaster@qpsu.org. As long as your email is received before the close of the round, your tips will be accepted. END OF COMPETITION PRIZES Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors (Hall Payne Lawyers, Slater & Gordon Lawyers and Union Shopper), there are great prizes for the 2010 competition are bigger and better than ever: First Prize - $400 Second Prize - $250 Third Prize - $125 Wooden Spoon - $50 SLATER & GORDON LAWYERS Established 75 years ago, Slater & Gordon has built a powerful reputation as a law firm which fights for the best outcomes for everyday Australians. Today Slater & Gordon offers its broad range of legal services at more locations than any other law firm in the country, delivering affordable legal advice and justice to more Australians. Specialised in all Personal Injury claims, Asbestos related illnesses, Commercial litigation, Family law, Industrial & Employment law and Wills/Estates claims, our team of experienced lawyers aim to protect your legal rights. For all your legal needs call our obligation free helpline on 1800 555 777 or visit www.slatergordon.com.au GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY TIPPING Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:41:04 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2325 A campaign updatehas been added tothe HPStronger Together web site. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:56:16 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2324 All QPSU members are invited to a meeting on Thursday July 29 from 12pm to 1.15pm Venue: the Theatrette Union Shopper Health and Members Equity representatives will be in attendance along with info from Union Shopper. Pizza will be supplied Meet some of your Council delegates Issues to be discussed will include: Latest hours of work policy proposal from the department Relocation Contacts and delegates Conversion from payroll deductions Hawke protocol report Workvoices Staff Welfare Club And other issues as raised by members. Should you wish to know more info please contact: Ross Buchanan: 3330-5210 • ross.buchanan@derm.qld.gov.au Rachel Barley: 3330-6091 • Rachel.Barley@derm.qld.gov.au Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:51:56 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2323 DERM is currently asking for QPSU comment on its draft Hours of Work Policy. The draft is available below. We consider it has some substantial issues affecting members, and therefore we are seeking your feedback. Important: If you have previously sent feedback to individual delegates, you should resend that feedback to the official feedback email address- derm@qpsu.org.au. The deadline for feedback is COB 2nd August, since we need time to analyse it before providing advice to Human Resources on 13 August. To assist you in commenting on the document, the following is a summary of the major differences between the proposed policy and the existing ex-NRW and ex-EPA policies: Ex-NRW Hours of Work Standard Bank time A has been replaced with Flexitime. 30 hour carryover limit has been extended to 60 hours with an ability to seek approval to carryover up to 90 hours. No Bank time B. The maximum of 3 flexitime days to be taken in a 4 week cycle, with no more than 2 days to be taken consecutively, has been increased to a maximum of 5 days with no more than 3 taken consecutively. Employees who have a chronic/critical illness or need to care for those with chronic/critical illness can access up to 5 days debit flexitime when all other leave is exhausted (not available in the old NRW policy). Ex-EPA Accrued Time Leave Guideline and TOIL Arrangements ATL has been replaced with Flexitime. 51.25 carryover limit has been extended to 60 hours. Ability to seek approval to carry over up to 130 hours has been limited to up to 90 hours. Maximum of 5 flexitime days to be taken in a 4 week cycle, with no more than 3 days to be taken consecutively (compared to unlimited in the previous EPA policy). Policy also covers timesheet recording. Does not go into a great deal of depth with regard to overtime-refers employees to the Hours and Overtime directive. To date, the feedback we have received from delegates and staff indicates that the three big issues with the policy are: The 60 hour limit and loss of Banked Time B: If an ex-NRW employee uses the Banked Time A and B system to maximum extent, they could potentially carryover 66.25 hours (30 hours BTA and 36.25 hours BTB). Ex-EPA employees had a maximum carryover of 51.25 hours, this having been based on the EPA's former banked time system of about a decade ago (15 hours BTA and 36.25 hours BTB). The 60 hour carryover is an intermediate level, rounded up. Accordingly, some ex-NRW staff will have a slightly reduced carryover in the proposed scheme. However, the offset benefit will be that the proposed system is simpler and potentially much more flexible. To date, most feedback indicates that this is satisfactory. Field duties, emergencies and the 90 hour limit: The policy allows employees to seek approval to carryover up to 90 hours in particular circumstances. Most feedback we have received to date indicates that this is inadequate and that a 130 hour limit should be adopted. Groups most affected by this are employees who do a lot of travel or field work, employees who have concentrated seasonal work, and those involved in emergency responses like major environmental disasters and bushfires. The limit of flexitime to five days per cycle and three consecutive days: This is probably the biggest issue in the feedback we have received to date, most comments reflecting that the limits are unnecessary. One line of logic is, if the employee has accrued the time in a genuine manner, they should be able to use it and not be restricted by artificial limits. Many DERM managers have also expressed a view that the document needs to show more recognition of the practicalities of working in small and / or regional offices and allow more flexibility in approval mechanisms. Related comments are that, as managers, they are employed to manage, which includes approving leave, and that approving flexitime should be no different from any other type of leave. Employees and managers should be able to mutually manage it like other absences from work. While these appear to be the "big three" issues, there may be additional issues you wish to highlight. In addition, QPSU will be monitoring continued excessive time being accrued (other than in special circumstances like emergency responses) to ensure that our members are not subject to excessive workloads and / or inappropriate work practices which diminish work-life balance. Accordingly, we are seeking your feedback on the proposed policy. Please send your comments to: derm@qpsu.org.au. The deadline for feedback is COB 2nd August. Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:35:36 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2322 A negotiationupdatehas been added tothe HPStronger Together web site. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:35:56 +1000 http://www.qpsu.org.au/news/news.php?catnorewrite=true&itemnorewrite=true&id=2321 This is just a quick reminder to lodge your tips in for Round 17 of the AFL comp. GAMES THIS WEEK Round: 17 ST.KILDA v. HAWTHORN Etihad Stad (N) COLLINGWOOD v. RICHMOND The MCG GEELONG v. BRISBANE Skilled Stadium NORTH MELBOURNE v. ESSENDON Etihad Stad (N) WEST COAST v. CARLTON Subiaco (N) W. BULLDOGS v. FREMANTLE Etihad Stadium MELBOURNE v. SYDNEY The MCG PORT ADELAIDE v. ADELAIDE AAMI Stadium WEEKLY WINNERS Last round none of us tipped every game correctly! But one of us did get 7 right. Wow! Don\'t forget, if you are one of three or less tippers to tip every game correctly in a round you will score a $20 gift voucher. See the competition rules for details about eligibility. PRIZE DRAW Last round was a prize draw round. One eligible tipper (see competition rules) was drawn from the combined pool of AFL and NRL tippers. Well done to Leo - Public Works who has scored himself a $50 gift voucher. PRIZES You can find the details for the prizes within either the rules or FAQ on the competition website. In summary: i) each week, if you are only one of three people to tip every game correctly in that round, you will score a $20 voucher; ii) every couple of weeks there will be a random prize draw of the eligible active tippers (see below), the drawn tipper will score a $50 gift voucher or other prize; iii) at the end of the competition there will be great prizes for first, second and third places, as well as the person who gets the wooden spoon (where the tipper must have tipped most of the rounds during the competition). An eligible tipper is someone who is a financial member* of the QPSU who is an active tipper. * The tipper must be a financial member in the week they win the prize. In some cases eligibility also extends to the partner of financial QPSU members. See the competition rules for more about eligibility for prizes and the awarding of prizes. RULES, TIPS AND OTHER COMPETITION RESOURCES ON THE WEB SITE If you haven\'t do so already, please take a moment to read the competition rules, which are available from the competition web site www.qpsu.org.au/AFL. Also on the site is some useful tips for tippers, the answers to some frequently asked questions, details about the competition sponsors, and some information about the prizes this year. LODGING YOUR TIPS The process for lodging tips is explained in the help files mentioned above. However, by way of a quick summary, visit www.qpsu.org.au/AFL. Select either Log In, Competition Summary or Tippers. Enter your Tipping Alias and Password. You will be presented with a list of games for the current Round. Select which team you think will win each game. Submit your tips. PRINT AND KEEP THE CONFIRMATION SCREEN. You can change your tips at any point before the close of the round. If you have any problems with lodging your tips you can email them to webmaster@qpsu.org. As long as your email is received before the close of the round, your tips will be accepted. END OF COMPETITION PRIZES Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors (Hall Payne Lawyers, Slater & Gordon Lawyers and Union Shopper), there are great prizes for the 2010 competition are bigger and better than ever: First Prize - $400 Second Prize - $250 Third Prize - $125 Wooden Spoon - $50 HALL PAYNE LAWYERS Hall Payne\'s hot tip: Don\'t leave anything to chance when buying or selling property. Choose a conveyancing specialist. Choose Union Conveyancing. Lower rates exclusive to union members. Phone 1800 850 283 for a free quote. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY TIPPING Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:37:16 +1000