É«ÀÇÉçÇøto push for more flexible Policelink rosters following survey results
30 October 2018
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwould like to thank all members who took part in the recent Policelink Survey regarding rostering practices and Quality Assurance in both the Tuggerah and Lithgow Centres.
The survey was filled out by a large number of members and the results showed a significant appetite for change from current practices:
- 80% of respondents were unaware that all other rostered shift workers in NSW Police get RLDs
- 84% of respondents were interested in some sort of change to the rostering
- 47% interested in staying full time but doing fewer days
- 19% interesting in staying part time but doing fewer days
- 12% interested in switching from full time to part time but doing fewer days
- 6% other changes
- 96% would take a shorter lunch break to accrue additional time for an RLD
On the matter of Quality Assurance, 73% of respondents had been through Quality Review in the last 12 months; 46% of those had negative experiences or concerns about the way the process operates.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøhas today written to Policelink Director, Chris Beatson to seek a meeting to begin discussions about a process for change.
In terms of rostering, there is no barrier to creating a Flexible Rostering Agreement applicable locally to members in Policelink.
This would be the same process as the É«ÀÇÉçÇøhas gone through over the years in negotiating Flexible Working Agreements for members in many areas of NSW Police.
Flexible Rostering Agreements allow members to negotiate a roster collectively through the É«ÀÇÉçÇøthat can vary from the parameters in the award and potentially include improvements in areas like set shift patterns, minimum days off per fortnight, minimum breaks between shifts, flexibility in shift length, shorter lunch breaks, etc.
This can greatly assist in management of fatigue in shift work.
However, the É«ÀÇÉçÇøwill not negotiate any specific positions before gathering more detailed feedback from members in the workplaces affected. The purpose of any initial meeting will be agreeing on a process for change.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøwill continue to campaign for fairer, more flexible rosters in Policelink.
What can you do?
- Not a member? Get involved by signing up!
- Give a copy of this bulletin to your colleagues or put it on a noticeboard.
- Organise a É«ÀÇÉçÇøvisit to your workplace.
- Ask a colleague to join the É«ÀÇÉçÇøto add to our collective strength.
- Get involved by becoming a local union delegate or contact.
A union workplace is a stronger and fairer workplace!