Contract Staff Undermines a Career Public Service
CPSU is deeply concerned over the increased use of contract and labour-hire staff within the Department of Industry, Innovation and Regional Development (DIIRD), and across the Victorian public service as a whole.
 

It is evident that contract and labour hire personnel are being used inappropriately within DIIRD.

CPSU has examples of contract and labour hire personnel within DIIRD who:

1. have occupied senior level positions (equivalent to VPS4, VPS5 and VPS6 positions)
2. cost substantially more than Victorian Public Service classifications associated with positions
3. have not assumed positions within DIIRD on the basis of ANY merit based selection process, contrary to the clear intent of the Public Administration Act
4. are not subject to the employee obligations prescribed by the Public Administration Act
5. have occupied positions within DIIRD over a long period, sometimes years
6. have been, and are, responsible for directly managing VPS staff, including being responsible for performance review and assessment of VPS staff
7. occupy positions which should be filled by either fixed term or ongoing VPS staff or casual staff

Additionally, CPSU does not accept the argument offered by management that these staff have specialist skills that cannot be sourced through the standard recruitment process, given that some of these positions are at the VPS2 to 3 levels performing generic administrative duties.

The increasing use of contract and labour hire staff within DIIRD deprives all VPS employees of opportunities for career advancement.

The use of contract and labour hire staff means that VPS employees have fewer opportunities for higher duties, secondments or promotions.

The use of contract and labour hire staff undermines VPS employee s job security and career trajectory.

It is wholly contrary to the notion of a career public service as articulated in the VPS Agreement 2009 and the Public Administration Act. This has repeatedly been bought to Senior Management s attention. To date we have had no movement on this issue.

CPSU opposes the use of contract and labour hire staff in DIIRD and invites all VPS employees and Labour Hire contractors who are similarly concerned on this attack on VPS employment and conditions to contact CPSU Organiser Emily Castle at ecastle@cpsuvic.org or call 9639-1822.

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.

CPSU - 125 in 2010.

When 1,000 colonial public servants crammed into the Athenaeum Hall in Collins Street on 17 June 1885 to form the Victorian Public Service Association they had no idea that we'd be still here and turning 125 this year.

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 22 October 2010