Fair Work Sets Timeline for Job Cuts Talks
Last week CPSU called on Education to provide full information about their proposed job cuts to its workforce and CPSU was couriered documents from DEECD at 5pm on Friday 17 August following CPSU lodging a dispute with Fair Work.  Their documents contained a proposed organisational chart which included 737 employees characterised as “roles removed” from across DEECD.

The documents DID NOT contain details of jobs already cut through natural attrition (CPSU believes this figure to be around 150), plans for those 400 employees on fixed term contracts or details relating to Voluntary Departure Packages.

The document did contain 355 effective full time new roles, which CPSU welcomes. However, there is no guarantee for any of the 737 facing job loss that they will be placed in these new roles, nor the 400 on fixed term contracts.

The dispute lodged with Fair Work Australia was heard at 10am today. FWA recommended CPSU and DEECD discuss all issues over the next week and then report back to FWA. The department must respond within five working days from tomorrow and we can seek an urgent conference if details are not provided.

CPSU advised FWA that there are a number of questions and issues arising from the “staff assignment and selection process”. They include the fact that no position descriptions for new positions, no detailed information about the likely effects of the restructure on employees’ working conditions and responsibilities and no commitment to provide appropriate training for affected employees to assist them to integrate successfully into the new structure have been released.

CPSU also stated that the communication with employees and CPSU had been woeful, including partial information being given to employees and managers briefing employees about their futures, which DEECD said should not be occurring.

Acting CPSU Secretary, Jim Walton said, “We welcome the assistance of Fair Work Australia. We call on DEECD to now do what they should have already done – release full details of their plans for DEECD.”

What Can You Do?

CPSU would like to hear from effected 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