VicPol have been paying higher duties only at the base of the Grade and not at the Value Range however our Victorian Public Service Agreement 2009 (VPSA 09) sets out the classification structure and the performance (progression) processes an employer must follow as it provides the framework for each Grade and/or Value Range at which every VPS job is located.

Value Ranges are contained within all Grades except Grade 1 and Grade 4.

If an employee at a lower Value Range is undertaking the duties of a position which is normally occupied by an employee at a higher Value Range that employee should receive higher duties at the higher value range rate.

A value range attracts its own descriptors as you would be aware if you have had to apply to have your position resized to the higher value range.

So Questions concerning whether a person ‚Äö?Ñ??owns a position, and what happens when a job is advertised, are not relevant.

If the person undertaking the duties of the higher Value Range position is not paid higher duties at that rate the employer is failing to act in accordance with, what is a very clear obligation, under our Agreement.

** Property Officer Uniform **

The provision of a Property Officer uniform negotiated as part of our VPSA ‚Äö?Ñ??09 Agreement referred to in Appendix 11 will be rolled out shortly.

CPSU has a draft policy for members to comment ‚Äö?Ñ?¨ please speak to Emily Castle ecastle@cpsuvic.org to obtain a copy.

** Is your area being restructured? **

Currently there are 24 restructures occurring within VicPol however we have heard that there are possibly more.

If your area is being restructured, VicPol are obliged to consult not only with you as affected employees but with CPSU as well.

If you believe your employer needs a reminder of its legal commitments as outlined in our Victorian Public Service Agreement 2009, you should contact Emily Castle ecastle@cpsuvic.org immediately.

** CPSU response to Regional Boundaries Project **

CPSU has sent a response to the staffing strategy proposed by VicPol. In short , CPSU drew the Committees attention to the global email sent early April to all staff and the email of 19 August 2009 which all stated very clearly that ‚Äö?Ñ??no employee will lose their job as a result of the boundary changes .

At our meeting on 19th August, CPSU contended that stage 4 of the staffing strategy is an indirect way of terminating employment with Victoria Police.

The Force Redeployment process for unsworn is significantly different to that applied to sworn personnel.

‚Äö?Ñ??Once an unsworn is placed on redeployment the organisation has a lawful obligation to look for alternative employment for a three month period only.

At the expiration of the three month period the employment contract can be legally terminated.

Given that there is a freeze on filling vacancies within Victoria Police it is assumed that the redeployment would involve referral to other agencies and you would in effect lose these positions all together.

Suffice to say, this represents a significant breach of the commitment offered.

The commitment states clearly that ‚Äö?Ñ??no employee will lose their VicPol job .

** CPSU Excerpt of letter to Regional Boundaries Committee **

CPSU has sought a substantial extension to the redeployment process of 24 months.

Unsworn staffing levels, particularly in the Regions, are at an all time critical low.

CPSU seeks further discussion around the placement of those employees already identified as surplus thus far and wish to explore other options to those flagged.

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

Australia has a proud history of unionism.

Union members work together to continually improve working conditions.

The benefits we enjoy now are the result of many decades of effort by union members.

By constantly pushing for improvement in all workplaces, we set an example for our fellow workers around the world and for the next generation of Australians.

CPSU's 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

Friday, November 13, 2009