Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission

- Preliminary Hearings and Call for Submissions

The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission is calling for written submissions from any interested persons or organisations in relation to the Royal Commissions terms of reference with general submissions closing at 4PM on Monday 18 May 2009.

CPSU is looking to make a submission to the Royal Commission focused on resourcing and Health and Safety issues, but may be broader depending on the feedback received from members.

Click here to view/print the advertisement in today's papers;

http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/FIRE-1803-ROYALCOMMISSION-CALL4SUBMISSIONS.pdf

CPSU intends to build on our submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry in 2007/08 by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee into the Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires in Victoria.

Click here to view/print CPSU's submission;

http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrc/inquiries/bushfires/Submissions/097%20Community%20and%20Public%20Sector%20Union.pdf

Click here to view/print the Inquiry Outcome;

http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrc/inquiries/bushfires/Report/report.html

Click here to view the Government's response;

http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrc/inquiries/bushfires/government_response.pdf

If members have any feedback, or would like to be involved in this process, please contact CPSU Organiser Matthew Price at mprice@cpsuvic.org for further information.


** Fit for Fire **

A conference was held at the Australian Industrial Relations Commission regarding this matter last Friday March 13th.

The matter had been delayed several times due to the recent bushfires.

The Commission urged the parties to negotiate a resolution on the matter.

The Commission had earlier expresses the view that the matter was best dealt with through the Implementation of Change provisions in our respective Agreements.

After some discussion, it was agreed that DSE & Parks Vic would jointly send a letter to the Union to initiate a consultation process around Fit For Work.

The policy will be open to review, and all aspects of the policy will be open for discussion.

Importantly, the Department and Parks Vic agreed to enter into discussions with the Union about paying compensation to staff members who were not rostered for fire work this season, owing to their not having completed the Task Based Assessment.

Given that the fire season is all but complete, and most staff have now completed the TBA, our position is to seek some kind of fair resolution for staff who were not rostered for fire work due to this policy.

If this issue affects you, please contact the union for further advice.

Our concern has not been about the expressed desire to improve OH&S standards but that the Employer was attempting to make such testing compulsory which is not allowed under our existing industrial agreement.


Please distribute this bulletin and ask your colleagues to join CPSU to have their voice heard and their views represented.

Our 7 day a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year industrial protection ensures you have the principal public sector organisation looking after your working rights, winning wage increases, protecting your conditions, and providing personal industrial assistance when you need it.


CPSU MEMBERSHIP IS PROTECTION FOR YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET. YOUR JOB.

Speak to a colleague today about the benefits of CPSU membership and have them contribute to our successes rather than just enjoying the benefits.


TOGETHER WE DO BETTER!

http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/Work-Can-Change-membership-flyer.pdf
http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/memform.pdf


KAREN BATT
CPSU Victorian Branch Secretary

Wednesday, 18 March 2009