Minutes of the Prisons Division Phone hook up held on Wednesday 9 July 2008.

Temporary Beds, Rosters, the Relocation of SESG / Central Prison Industries Management, Medications (issuing to prisoners), Cell Extraction data, ESOTAC and Prisoner Health were all discussed.

Attendance:

Mark Nestor President PD ( Ararat) Colin Rosewarne V/President PD (Port Phillip) Christine Kells CPSU Industrial Organiser Henry Bergervoet (Langi Kal Kal), Helga Baker (MAP), Russell Grainger (Courts), Peter Adam (Dhurringile), Rob Taylor (Port Phillip), Charlie Allen (SESG), Brian McDonald (Marngoneet), Gary Morton (Judy Lazarus)

Apologies:

Gary Greaves Secretary PD (Barwon) Richard Rochfort (Marngoneet) and Gary Watson (MRC)

Mark Nestor opened the meeting and informed all, Christine Kells from CPSU had been appointed to work directly with Karen Batt on all site specific prison matters in conjunction with the prisons division president Mark Nestor and secretary Gary Greaves.

This new structure was agreed to by the PD President, Secretary and State CPSU Branch Secretary Karen Batt.

It was requested that all prison matters requiring central CPSU assistance now be referred directly to Christine Kells and the PD executive.

- Clause 9 s

There were no new clause 9 s however discussion continues on the two issues below.

? Temporary beds

Subject of a Clause 9 ‚Äö?Ñ?¨ allocation up to 100 beds.

CPSU wants regular consultative mechanism, with a steering committee. Discussion took place on a proposed 2 level consultation process for not only the prisons master plan but also general prison issues. The proposal will be discussed with Branch Secretary K Batt for ratification.

Click here to view/print the proposal;
http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/DOJ-CV-Prisons-Master-Plan-Consultation.pdf

? Relocation of SESG / Central Prison Industries Management?

Robyn Edwards from CPSU is discussing this matter with both our members and CV Management in an attempt to gain an acceptable outcome, if members are affected and have concerns they should discuss such directly with Robyn.

- Rosters

Local groups at locations on trial rosters should be involved in the review process of such. This is the process set up to raise and document all issues relating to the trial roster.

If issues are not documented it is feasible to suggest there is no issues.

2 sites remain without agreed or agreed trial rosters:

Loddon ‚Äö?Ñ?¨ This site has Prison officers employed both on a 9 and 10 day fortnight. CPSU have requested a trial be undertaken to identify the cost and necessary number of positions required to achieve a 9 day fortnight for all prison officers. CPSU see this site as no different to Ararat were an agreeable outcome was achieved for both CV and its employees. Mark Nestor to work directly with DOJ-IR to pursue our goal.

Courts - CPSU have asked DOJ-CV to supply the operational requirements of court staff and the needs of the courts in relation to COG officers. CPSU will then attempt to gain a 9/80 trial roster that meets such needs. CPSU to work directly with DOJ-IR to pursue our goal.

- State-wide Conference for CPSU prison reps

A conference is being arranged for Tuesday 30 September and Wednesday 1 October.

CPSU has received confirmation that the Minister will attend.

PD would like to see both the President and Secretary from each location at this conference, if either are unavailable it would be appreciated local groups could send another of their executive in place.

Names should be forwarded to G Greaves as soon as possible.

- Security Industry Modern Award

Mark Nestor gave a brief overview and explained that the CPSU did not oppose the security industry being considered as a priority for a Modern Award however, CPSU have requested that staff who work in or in connection with private or public prisons should not be considered to be engaged in the security industry.

Our concern is if we are considered in the security industry this can result in a gradual seepage of security industry standards into the prison sector which from observations elsewhere has led to de-skilling and downward pressure on wages.

- Medications (issuing to prisoners)

Michelle Gardner from Justice Health is gathering details in an attempt to develop an interim Directors Instruction prior to gaining a satisfactory outcome for all parties.

The situation remains that there is currently no consistent approach on processes to carry out this task within the prison system.

DOJ s own legal advice supplied to CPSU stated;

‚Äö?Ñ?¨ 'I doubt very much whether prison officers who might fail to employ best practice in that sense on account of not having been fully or properly instructed and trained in that regard, could be said to be in breach of any duty of care to the person requiring first aid. In my view, officers can only reasonably be expected to perform first aid to the best of their ability in accordance with such training and instruction as they have received from or on behalf of their employer. If that training be deficient in the sense of not being in accordance with best practice for prison services, legal fault should squarely lie at the feet of their employer. 'CPSU remains unhappy with the length of time it is taking for both CV and DOJ to address this issue and will continue to pursue a satisfactory outcome.

- Prisoner Health

Stemming from the prisoner health forum arranged by DOJ the workshop involving all prison sites was postponed.

A new date has now been set for the 18th August 2008 at MRC.

It appears one of the main issues for our membership is the use of condoms in our prison system and potential issues with the management of such.

All locations are requested to forward Names by e-mail of CPSU members which they wish to have represent there location to Carl Marsich from CPSU on cmarsich@cpsuvic.org and Gary Greaves.

Time release for attendees will be arranged by DOJ IR Nick Harding.

- Cell Extraction Data

CPSU have requested cell extraction data highlighting injuries to prison staff.

CPSU is concerned with officer injuries resulting from conflict with prisoners whilst in their cell.

DOJ have committed to share the data and will arrange a time to discuss within the next 4 weeks.

CPSU will use such data to discuss the current control measures, when they are implemented and if further measures are required.

- Recreation Officers

CPSU still awaiting a response from CV and will again follow up.

(Should be in the COG structure unless it can be demonstrated that these employees are not carrying out custodial duties)

- Terrorist Update / High Security Prisoners / Tactical Weapons

SESG reps have had numerous meeting to discuss all of the above issues and it appears now that as expected most are interlinked.

CPSU is awaiting a response from the SESG Manager to a working party doc on tactical weapons.

WorkSafe is to conduct a review into high security escorts; CPSU has raised concerns regarding the control measures in place and the training of staff required to undertake such escorts.

CPSU will also request that the private prisons are also involved in the WorkSafe review as they also carry out such tasks.

- ESOTAC

CPSU is still seeking confirmation on staffing numbers for Ararat s ESOTAC facility. (Currently required)

DOJ IR N Harding to follow up.

- Performance Management

CPSU has had involvement in the new electronic version and currently can see no immediate concerns for our membership.

- POAA Conference

The President, Secretary and V/ President of the prisons division will attend this conference to represent both Vic public and private prisons.

Please distribute this bulletin and ask your colleagues to join CPSU.

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.


VPS - AGREEMENT - 2009 is coming !!!!!!!!!!!

To view the movie trailer click here;
http://www.cpsuvic.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=245&Itemid=148


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
Victorian Branch Secretary

Monday, 14 July 2008