Prisons’ Division Meeting

Minutes of the Prison's Division Meeting held on Wednesday 11th June 2008 including an update on rosters, medication distribution, prisoner health, cell extraction procedures, reclassification of rec officers, Escort WP, and surge capacity.

Present;

Mark Nestor P.D. President Ararat
Colin Rosewarne P.D. Executive P.P.P.
Mike Atkinson CPSU I.O.
Grant Halliday Langi Kal-Kal
John Cazaly Beechworth
Chris Coutts Loddon
Rod Chelini M.A.P.
Rob Taylor P.P.P.
Bryan McDonald Marngoneet
John Milne M.R.C.
Charlie Allen S.E.S.G.
Will Dodson Tarengower
Gary Morton J.L.C.
Rosemaree van Dorssen Barwon
Jayne Poulton D.P.F.C.
Gary Greaves P.D. Secretary Barwon

Apologies; Nil

Mark Nestor opened and informed the meeting that Peter Hanley was on long-term sick leave, members were asked not to attempt to contact Peter whilst he was off work. All queries or problems are to be addressed to CPSU through Mark Nestor or Gary Greaves, to directly e-mail CPSU the address is enquiry@cpsuvic.org

The meeting continued with a report on the CPSU PD / CV Consultative Meeting held on Tuesday 27th May.

Present were;

DoJ
R.Wise
M.Morrison
B.Money
C.Smythe
S.Pledge
N.Harding

CPSU
K.Batt
M.Nestor
P.Hanley
C.Kels
G.Greaves

Rosters:

Update report, signing of outstanding MOU’s and review of situation regarding Loddon and Courts. MAP trial confirmation of start date. Documentation of review process at specific sites to be forwarded to CPSU (evidence of consultation process as per MOU)

Out Come; DPFC, Marngoneet and MAP were signed off. Loddon to meet to discuss 9/80 on the 28/ 5. P.Hanley to attend. Trial date for MAP will begin 22nd June. Courts – as court staff are required Monday to Friday, CV will review the operational requirements of the Court staff and articulate the needs of the Courts to CPSU. _ CPSU to then submit a proposal for 9/80.

Medications:

Update to be provided. CPSU PD sent e-mail to Michele Gardner outlining information regarding distributing of medication to prisoners’ process at specific locations. MG has committed to get back to the PD with any proposed process prior to our next scheduled meeting. Date to confirmed of meeting and has CV provided MG with any information to help progress this issue to a satisfactory out come for all parties.

Out Come; CV will reply to CPSU with in one week with a Draft DI that addresses CPSU concerns.

Prisoner Health:

Clarification on the status of proposed state-wide seminar for all reps from all sites. Need confirmation that it is proceeding, the date and time and arrangements for time release. Out Come: M. Gardner to contact CPSU with date and numbers required to attend

Cell extraction:

OHS data: yet to receive information as promised by DoJ Out Come; CV has data on cell extractions which involve the use of gas. M.Morrison to forward to CPSU. CPSU requested more information on the issues of procedures, ie; at what point in procedure would the situation escalate to the next level. CV to look at supplying extra data on procedure of cell extraction.

Reclassification of recreation officers:

Seek justification of the current classification or transfer into the more appropriate COG classification as per EB. Out Come; CVs HR are examining rolls at all locations and will respond to CPSU by Friday 30th.

Alleged terrorist Escort update from working party.

Updated report from meeting in early May that undertook risk assessments of terrorist escorts. Still need to clarify some issues that may be contained in the draft report. CPSU would then meet with SESG escort staff to discuss contents and impact of report with a view of further negotiations to take place to gain an acceptable outcome for both parties.

Out Come;

CV were not able to comment as members of the meeting had not yet seen the draft report. CV will respond by Friday the 30th with their response to report.

• SESG President, C Allen said SESG members met Friday to discuss Tactical Weapons and have formulated a document to present to Steve Airde.

Update on tactical weapons working group.

Meeting date? Meeting to include; C Allen, R Kaliszewski, F Rapa, L Renkauskas, J O’Dwd, S Airde Out Come; CV will respond by Friday the 30th with the next meeting date.

ESO TAC: need confirmations of the numbers of staff to be appointed in ongoing role at location. Out come; CV will e-mail CPSU with the number of additional staff required.

Correspondence on surge capacity:

concern about language: should be clear it is “surge capacity only not temporary beds. Require more specific detail as to the actual units at each site the beds will be allocated to. (Local Management at each specific site affected to consult with local CPSU group regarding possible required additional infrastructure and/or staffing – Aim to gain joint agreement between parties.) Out Come; CV said discussion would take place at each site at the local level.

Introduction of dual reception points for the male prison system and additional health and mental health beds. (Local Management at each specific site affected to consult with local CPSU group regarding possible required additional infrastructure and/or staffing – Aim to gain joint agreement between parties.)

Out Come;

CV stated that no extra reception points beside MAP and PPP are being implemented at this time. MRC will be considered in CVs “Phase 2” but will not occur at this stage.  Time for implementation of Phases is 3 years.

Relocation of SESG Intel:

need more detail as to the numbers involved and where at MRC it is proposed to put them Out Come; CV said this move would affect a total of 17 staff. CV are currently looking at their options at MRC and will present proposal to CPSU when completed.

• C.Allen reported that the Sally Port area at MRC was has been mooted as the location for SESG Intel. SESG is waiting on decision on funding from CV. Further discussion is required between SESG CPSU and CV.

New Prison Ararat, 40 residential facility for serious sex offenders, 8 bed unit for detainees and 52 quick build beds for Dhurringile. Due to the size of the re-developments and impact on operations of the specific prisons CPSU request involvement from the developmental stages for both local groups and prisons division from the developmental stage through to completion.

Out Come;

CV will continue to consult with CPSU. CV said 8-bed unit for “detainees” was to be available for individuals on Indefinite Detention Orders that chose not to reside in alternative residential facility.

Electronic Performance Management System: matters arising from the training session.

CPSU seek clarification on the process and ramifications if an employee is unwilling to take part sign a PMP? The process and outcome if the participant and manager do not agree on the content in the PMP.  What if the staff member does not take up the offer of access to the Internet? Is there going to be a template for standard competencies for the COG PMPs? If such CPSU request input with the aim to gain an agreed template between the parties

Out Come;

CPSU questions to be e-mailed to S.Pledge for HRs comment. CV to place FAQ on Jnet.

Answers to questions were as follows

"1. CPSU seek clarification on the process and ramifications if an employee is unwilling to take part or sign a PMP?

In accordance with the Victorian Public Service Agreement 2006 (VPSA 2006), and organisational policy, there is a requirement for both the employer to provide, and the employee to participate in, a performance management system. The same process would apply if an employee is unwilling to participate or sign a PMP as applies now.

"2. The process and outcome if the participant and manager do not agree on the content in the PMP.

The same process would apply with the electronic system as applies now with the paper- based system, i.e. access to grievance processes.

"3. What would be the process if the staff member does not take up the offer of access to the internet.

It is expected that all staff would take up the offer of access to the Internet and the Department will take every step to facilitate such access. However, where access is a difficulty we would consider each case on its merits.

"4. Is there going to be a template for standard competencies for the COG PMPs. If such CPSU request input with the aim to gain an agreed template between the parties.

Standard competencies currently exist for all VPS and COG classifications. The Department is not seeking to change the competencies. The system provides a tool for pre-population of goals and they can be fully edited or changed if they are not applicable to the employee concerned."

I also refer to concerns which I understand were raised at the Prisons Consultative Committee on 27 May 2008 regarding the consultation process and progression payments.

The Department has made every effort to ensure CPSU has been, and continues to be, consulted about this process in a genuine and meaningful way. The Union's input was sought on an informal basis prior to the formal notification under clause 9 of the VPSA 2006 and in a letter to Karen Batt dated 22 April 2008 was formally notified of the proposed introduction of the electronic performance management and progression system tool. Since then we have included both the CPSU Organiser, Robyn Edwards, and local DoJ union delegates in the process and have continually sought input and feedback from them. We are working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the new system on 1 July 2008.

In relation to progression payments, we understand that there may have been a perception amongst some staff that the introduction of this system would make it more difficult to achieve progression. There in no intention by the Department to make it harder for our staff to achieve progression and we have addressed this issue specifically in our presentations. We are committed to ensuring this system meets both the organisation's goals and the goals of our staff.

Clause 9 notifications, CPSU request when such a notification relates specifically to a location, consultation between the local group and local management take place as per EB identifying the ramifications and control measures for such. This can enable joint proposals for change to be implemented and remove the angst from staff when just advised that change will take place.

Out Come;

CV agreed after asking for clarification. CPSU confirmed requirement for formal notification to be sent by CV central or local sites to be sent to State Secretary with a cc to the local reps SESG C.Allen; SESG member on a dog handler course was removed from course and had a dog he had had for approx 3 months, removed when his management realised one fortnights leave the member had previously be granted fell whilst the member was on course.

LODDON: Meeting was held on 25th May between Loddon Management, CV and Local CPSU. Local CPSU was told by CV representative was unable to negotiate. Local Group believed the meeting was ineffective and there has been no movement on Loddon’s 9/80 since.

DPFC; J.Poulton reported DPFC’s Roster MOU had been signed off but the reviews agreed to in the MOU were not occurring.

TARRENGOWER; W.Dodd enquired on EBA, all locations are advised to direct all EBA data to CPSU Branch Councillors Mark Nestor, Gary Greaves or Cheryl Miszkowiec.

Mike Atkinson CPSU IO answered questions on salary sacrifice and industrial action, he said that registered charities were able to salary sacrifice up to 30% of their salary and only employers with a benevolent arm were able to do this. On industrial action he advised that EB had to conform to federal law and under work choices act, individual members could be fined $10K and Union $50K per day for unauthorised action.

J.Milne asked if CPSU could have a presence on the Uniform Committee, advised each location has a representative on the Committee. PD to look at the quality of uniform clothing.

Prisons’ Division Annual meeting will be held late September before the POAA conference.

A vacancy has arisen on the Prisons’ Division Executive, any member interested in filling this vacancy should inform M.Nestor or G.Greaves as the position will be on the agenda to be resolved at the PD annual meeting.

Meeting Closed.

Next meeting 6pm 9th July.