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Environmental Allowance Review completed? No! It is not – dispute lodged

  12 February 2019

Environmental Allowance Review completed – No – It is not – dispute lodged – February 2019 (PDF version)

Members will be aware that ɫ������and Correctives approached the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) for assistance in resolving issues around the Environmental Allowance (EA).

As a means of assisting in the parties, the IRC suggested Correctives conduct a statewide review of non-custodial and community corrections positions. This has led to a blanket assessment of all positions provided and allowed the ɫ������to identify and address issues.

Although the review is largely complete, the ɫ������is still awaiting the assessments for some positions, including OS&P administration. In a letter to us, CSNSW indicated it was still waiting on receiving some documentation from Dr Ware’s area. The ɫ������has not received any further correspondence since that notification concerning the outstanding OS&P roles.

ɫ������is aware of the CSNSW Broadcast circulated on Thursday, 17 January 2019. The broadcast stated “A review of the entitlement to the Environmental Allowance (EA) has recently completed.

The review has been conducted in consultation and conciliation with the ɫ������and in the Industrial Relations Commission.”

The ɫ������disputes the Review has been finalised.

ɫ������wrote to CSNSW on 21 December indicating we would refer the following outstanding matters back to the IRC for conciliation:

1. Community Corrections Parole Unit Managers: ɫ������maintains these positions are entitled to the EA.
2. St Heliers Admin : ɫ������maintains the position is entitled to the EA
3. Programs Facilitator- Dad and Families identified position: 50 per cent EA should be applied from the initial request to CSNSW to apply the EA. It is noted all former Program Facilitators were afforded the EA.
4. Electronic Monitoring Unit. ɫ������maintains these positions are entitled to the EA. (ɫ������does acknowledge CSNSW notified ɫ������earlier this month that there are 2 teams within the unit and they are awaiting some further clarification, ɫ������in good faith indicate we would await further clarification of roles)
5. Confirmation of the agreement reached whereby Community Correction Officers carrying a Parole case load will be entitled to the Environmental Allowance.

Further, ɫ������sought clarification that

1. A system of lateral Higher Duties Allowance – HDA would be utilised to ensure staff are appropriately compensated for performing a role with EA attached. This is particularly important whereby Administration staff are rotated into Stores roles. Furthermore, ɫ������sought assurances that the staff would be paid the allowance for the days where they performed the duties of stores officer.
2. How CSNSW will streamline a process to ensure the EA is captured when positions are being backfilled or rotated amongst staff to ensure consistency in the application of the EA.

None of the concerns have been answered by CSNSW.

2020 Funded positions

During Conciliation process ɫ������raised concerns that some staff recruited whilst the Environmental Allowance has been before the IRC have not received the Environmental Allowance payment. CSNSW confirmed employees in Community Corrections – Parole Units, Offender Services and Programs and Store positions will receive back pay in due course.

However, the ɫ������has been informed that CSNSW has told some staff who were employed under the 2020 funding that they “would only be eligible for back pay if they had evidence of making a complaint regarding not getting it”. Furthermore, that “the government couldn’t afford to back pay everyone”.

ɫ������maintains any member employed in Community Corrections – Parole Units, Offender Services and Programs and Store positions whilst the EA was before the IRC are entitled to receive the Allowance.

Where to now?

The ɫ������has lodged a new dispute as the Environmental Allowance has not been finalised as CS NSW has jumped the gun with their broadcast. The review process has not been finalised and nor has it been agreed to with the PSA.

If you have received a letter indicating you are losing the EA and believe that this is incorrect please contact the ɫ������– please quote call number 72253 – or your delegate as soon as possible.

The ɫ������will continue to pursue fair outcomes for members in relation to the Environmental Allowance.

Regards,

Dylan Smith
Industrial Officer