DEECD Refuse to Release Full Details of New Staff Structure
Late Tuesday 14 August DEECD released information about a proposed restructure but refused to provide its workforce and CPSU with its overall state-wide proposal. Instead, employees were given organisational diagrams relating only to their particular area. CPSU received no organisational charts at all.

CPSU Lodges dispute with Fair Work Australia
Under clause 10 of the VPS Determination (EBA) the employer is obliged to provide information to affected employees and CPSU about any restructure of the workplace.  CPSU communicated to DEECD on Wednesday that information should be immediately forthcoming, in accordance with their obligations, and to comply by midday otherwise we would notify Fair Work Australia of a dispute. DEECD’s response was that they would only hand over the information if we agreed to confidentiality. This is an extraordinary request that the union refused. As a result DEECD did not hand over the organisational charts. CPSU therefore notified Fair Work Australia of a dispute.

A hearing has been scheduled for 10am Monday 20 August. At this hearing we will simply be arguing for DEECD to comply with their workplace agreement obligations.

Media

A media release by CPSU focused on up to 950 jobs being cut by DEECD. This figure is obtained by the 400 confirmed by DEECD, 150 lost this year through attrition with no replacement commitment from DEECD, and 400 on fixed term contracts who have been given no guarantee that their positions will be renewed.

The response from the Ministers office is that the total number of job cuts will not be known until the restructure is complete.

What Can You Do?

The union have received several emails and phone calls from members about proposed changes to their role and/or area.

CPSU would like to hear from affected members. Please email Nick Church at nchurch@cpsuvic.org with the subject heading DEECD RESTRUCTURE and provide your Job Title, Summary of Current Main Responsibilities, Summary of Proposed Changes to Your Role and /or Area, and Likely Effect on the Workforce and the Victorian Community.

CPSU will use this information in an ongoing campaign to convince DEECD to minimise the effect of the cuts on both the workforce and the Victorian community.

 

JIM WALTON

Victorian Assistant Branch Secretary