Members update – JCC meeting 22 June 2023
30 June 2022
The PSA, along with your delegates, participated in the Joint Consultative Committee meeting recently. A number of important issues were addressed and details are below.
Telematics
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøadvised management that the telematics systems installed into vehicles are currently a work in progress with new advice to be completed by EPA executives on the operation of the system. A serious lack of staff consultation and lack of correct information relating to this system is causing problems. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøhas already received numerous complaints relating to this system and is awaiting confirmation that the position of the system in the vehicle poses a possible WH&S risk. If we can establish there is a Work Health and Safety issue, then their operation will cease until they are safe to operate. Staff who have issues using the system should contact the É«ÀÇÉçÇøwith their concerns. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwas also advised by EPA management the Q&A provided to staff was from another agency that had no relevance to the current system. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøis currently seeking the EPA’s telematics policy.
Operations Coordination Unit
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøraised concerns with EPA management that the Operations Coordination Unit (OCU) – previously the HUB) is currently forwarding work to all areas of the EPA with limited staff. This is creating a delay in material being sent out to Operations Officers and alike. The EPA were advised by our members who believe their work is being delayed by this process. Affected members should contact the É«ÀÇÉçÇøto establish this is a major issue currently within the EPA.
Since the announcement that Contractors were not having their contracts with the EPA extended, the OCU has lost 4 staff. These staff have been trained to complete all tasks within the OCU which takes an extensive time to properly train. Again, this is causing serious impacts across the EPA and the É«ÀÇÉçÇøwill continue to actively assess this issue.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøis concerned that EPA management have re-introduced ‘Service Zones’ which appears to be a reversal of the current operational model back to the previous work flows. This issue will continue to be a focus for the PSA.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøsought confirmation from the EPA regarding their Covid vaccination policy as all agencies were currently reviewing their Covid policies. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwas advised, the EPA would continue with the current policy, however would wait for DPE to provide their new draft policy.
Staffing
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøalso raised concerns regarding the renewal of temporary contracts and the impact this would have on current EPA staff. The PSA’s concerns with these functions being undertaken by temporary employees would be then picked up by other EPA staff. If a temporary employee in your area has not been extended and the workload is expected to be picked up by you, please contact the É«ÀÇÉçÇøimmediately.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøalso has concerns regarding staffing gaps and the number of unfilled positions currently across the organisation. The É«ÀÇÉçÇøreminds members it is important not to take up the work assigned to vacant positions. Please contact the É«ÀÇÉçÇøimmediately if asked to do the work of an unfilled position and this will be taken up management.
É«ÀÇÉçÇøEPA delegates:
Hugh Brennan 02 6333 3821
Scott King 02 6640 2554
Cheryl Ainsworth 02 9999 6720
Jane Burgett 02 9995 6911
Simon Taylor 0436 467 696