Members are saying Centrelink has not consulted and STILL is not consulting on PST changes that affect you.
This is coupled with significant concerns about Centrelink denying you your Certified Agreement entitlements. What’s your union been doing to protect your rights?
Your union defends your rights
PST members have taken up the fight for their rights over the last six months following the National Restructure.
Your union has collected hundreds of paper and online survey responses, one on one phone interviews and detailed stories from members on what has happened.
After exhausting all avenues with Centrelink National Management to have your rights and entitlements respected the CPSU went to the Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) for assistance.
Your Union represented your issues and presented detailed evidence to the AIRC in Melbourne on the June 10th 2008.
Your case before the AIRC
The matters put before the Commission alleged the following (and other) breaches by Centrelink of your Certified Agreement:
Failure to consult affected employees about changes resulting from the National restructure.
Unilateral changes to employee Regular Hours of work and changes without genuine negotiations.
Not progressing employees from 2.1 to 2.5 above the Work Availability Barrier.
Not paying overtime; unreasonable denial of flex entitlements.
Not providing many PST workers access to Learning and Development time and facilities.
Unreasonably denying access to Part Time working hours.
Not allowing PST workers Health and Safety breaks for screen / phone based work e.g. 5 minute break after every hour of work (this is what Call Centre workers are entitled to).
Centrelink’s response before the AIRC
Admitted YES changes had occurred during PST restructure.
Said NO, consultation doesn’t have to happen before a decision is made and said it only has to happen during implementation of changes (i.e. after the change has affected you).
Denied that the changes have breached employee entitlements in the Certified Agreement.
