Email broadcast to all members in Corrective Services
19 April 2016
Incompetence or contempt – you decide
This State Coalition Government decided to close 3 NSW prisons and downgrade another when its own Bureau of Crime Statistics (Bocsar) said prisoner numbers were rapidly increasing. INCOMPETENCE.
On top of the changed workers compensation legislation, this Government, with the stroke of a pen, made a policy decision to stop staff from being able to use their own accrued sick leave to 鈥渢op up鈥 their workers compensation payments when injured. CONTEMPT.
Whilst the 色狼社区has been highlighting the increased risks you face in the media, it has also been lobbying the Government to show good faith by immediately reinstating the policy which allows 鈥渢op up鈥 of workers compensation payments with accrued sick leave.
色狼社区General Secretary Anne Gardiner wrote to Minister Elliot outlining your union鈥檚 attempts to resolve this simple “top up” pay policy matter with Baird Government ministers.
To read that letter click HERE.
The nonsensical response received from Minister Elliot does not address the issue of 鈥渢op up鈥 pay and fails to respond to a request for a meeting with the Minister to discuss the issue of overcrowding.
Instead, the Minister’s letter refers to pre-injury average weekly earnings (PIAWE) which the 色狼社区is already discussing with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA). INCOMPETENCE and CONTEMPT.
Read the Minister’s response HERE.
Today, the 色狼社区will write to Premier Mike Baird in a final attempt to involve Correctional staff in developing a proper plan to address the prison overcrowding debacle created by this Government.
The Government鈥檚 unwillingness to consult with its workforce in developing a workable plan for the future is the problem.
ENOUGH.