National Parks and Wildlife Service Award Update
9 February 2017
National Parks and Wildlife Service award update – February 2017 (PDF version)
Last week Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) arranged a series of Skype meetings with Rangers. During the meetings OEH threatened to explore alternative industrial arrangements if the É«ÀÇÉçÇødid not agree to its current Award variation proposals. Subsequent to those meetings the É«ÀÇÉçÇøalso undertook a number of workplace meetings last week. Attendance at those meetings was very good and a range of issues and concerns were discussed.
At the meetings, members clearly indicated their overwhelming support for the É«ÀÇÉçÇøposition on the current issues.
Award variations are made in consent with the É«ÀÇÉçÇøand our members. Contrary to any threats made, Rangers currently have an award – the Crown Employees (Office of Environment and Heritage – National Parks and Wildlife Service) Conditions of Employment Award 2015 – which outlines their conditions of employment including long established grading’s and classifications. It cannot be varied without the consent of the PSA.
Following our workplace meetings, National Parks and Wildlife Service delegates met at É«ÀÇÉçÇøHouse on Monday, 6 February 2017 to discuss issues arising from the É«ÀÇÉçÇøvisits to workplaces.
Delegates at Monday’s meeting agreed to listen to the Department’s response to the É«ÀÇÉçÇøletter dated 12 January 2017.
A meeting was then convened with OEH on Wednesday, 8 February 2017. At this meeting the Department confirmed its ‘current’ position, indicating:
- OEH is seeking to vary your Award via consent with the PSA
- The current proposal does not include any ‘grandfathering’ of Ranger grades
- Consultation on any restructure is currently planned for end of February/March.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwas able to clarify our position, which was if they would like to reach an agreement via consent, they would need to listen to the concerns of our members, and explore alternatives to the ‘non-grandfathering’ of current grades, and alternatives to the introduction of hard barriers.
The Department thanked the É«ÀÇÉçÇøfor this advice and indicated it would get back to us.
Please see attached RDs for proposed new Ranger grades HERE.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwishes to thank members for their participation and support at the recent meetings. We look forward to their continued support during this campaign. Members can be sure that whilst the É«ÀÇÉçÇøwill always consider proposals in good faith, we will not let threats to explore alternative industrial arrangements dull our resolve to always put our member’s best interests first.
Your É«ÀÇÉçÇøPOVB Delegates are:
Sydney Metro – Tegan Burton
Hurstville; Paramatta – Ben Owers
South Coast; Southern Ranges – Alex Deura
Far South Coast – George Malolakis
Blue Mountains – Kim De Govrik
Western Region – John Holcombe
Northern Tablelands – Peter Clark
Northern Rivers/ North Coast – Janet Cavanaugh
Technical Officers – Ken England
Kempsey – Alex Wyatt
Other NPWS delegates:
Anita Zubovic
Martin Smith
Steve Carter
Trish Swain
What can I do?
Speak to your fellow colleagues and get them interested in our campaign.
Ask a fellow worker to join the É«ÀÇÉçÇøso we are stronger together.