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University of Sydney CPSU NSW – November Newsletter from your local branch

  21 November 2023

Workplace Health & Safety Representative (HSR) – Nominations Now Open

CPSU NSW already has several members elected to HSR roles at Sydney University, and they all be re-nominating in the coming round. Your union works with union member HSRs to ensure that WHS is effective and meaningful at the University and in your workplaces.

The CPSU NSW USyd Branch Committee strongly encourages you to nominate as an HSR in your area – please feel free to either email or phone CPSU NSW President Grant Wheeler  or mobile 0434 367 472 for further information.

Information is also available on the staff intranet via the following link: 

For those of you who would like to nominate as a HSR (you can nominate yourself) – click .

Nominations close 24 November.

Win Over Temporary Reduced Fraction Entitlements

CPSU NSW has resolved some ongoing concerns to those on a temporarily reduced fraction, including those taking primary caregiver leave for 38 weeks at 60% of pay (effectively on a 0.6 fraction).

Until recently, staff temporarily on a reduced fraction at the time of their anniversary date were allocated their personal leave hours at that fraction.

So, if your anniversary date was 10 January and you were on a reduced fraction (let’s say 0.5) on that date, you would be allocated 175 hours’ personal leave for the year ahead, not 350, even if you returned to a full-time role on 11 January.

The University has corrected this because of our inquiries, and that personal leave accruals are now automatically updated in the HR system (Ascender) when a staff member changes their FTE and shortly thereafter in Workday.

We are working with the University to have other anomalies relating to leave accrual in Workday corrected for those who temporarily or permanently change roles or fractions.

Our enquiries have also led to the recognition that Long Service Leave is not accruing for those on secondments due to a system error. We are told this would be corrected when a reconciliation is done upon staff leaving the University, but they are trying now to fix it as an ongoing calculation due to our highlighting the anomaly.

Workday – Check Your Entitlements

Recently, several members have reported that they have “lost” some of their personal leave and have asked HR to rectify the situation. It would seem there is an ongoing issue with Workday therefore all members are advised to check their leave entitlements to make sure that they are correct. Contact your CPSU NSW delegate if you discover an anomaly.

Women’s Officer Report

Your CPSU NSW delegates (including an HSR) have been making representations to upper management about the lack of action on fixing lights around the campus. It was pointed out to management that there have been several incidents recently of verbal assault and harassment of female staff.

We are concerned about the safety of staff working at night and walking across campus to cars or public transport after their shifts; other staff that work late or attend work functions; and students who use the campus at night. Recently, CPSU NSW delegates were advised that 12 out of 15 defective lights have been fixed.

Your delegates are also advocating for increased security patrols for Libraries at closing, consistent emergency buzzers for all library locations, refresher training on emergency procedures including personal safety for staff who need it and improved measures to help with risk mitigation.  If you are concerned about this safety issue or believe an area has defective lighting, or needs more lighting, then please contact your CPSU NSW delegate.

Save Money with Union Services and Union Shopper

With cost-of-living pressures hurting everyone, it’s a timely reminder that members can take advantage of free or discounted services offered by the Union , including  a free Will service – see /member-services/member-benefits/

Also, as a member of the CPSU NSW you are entitled to discounts through Union Shopper. Members can get discount cards for essentials such as groceries (4% off at Woolworths and Coles; 5% off at IGA); and Petrol (5% off at United and Ampol) etc.  There are discounts on spirits and alcohol, white goods, and electronics etc. See 

Employment Conditions You May Not Know

If your supervisor wants to meet with you, for a performance issue, a change plan or a discipline matter – then you have the right to have a support person present, including a union delegate. For example, if you are meeting over Performance Improvement, Clause 456 (a) of the new Enterprise Agreement stipulates that the supervisor:

“…will inform the staff member that they have the right to be represented by their union or a support person.”

If your supervisor denies a union or support person for issues outlined above, then please contact your union delegate ASAP.

Please contact one of our delegates if you have any questions

University of Sydney CPSU NSW Branch Committee

• President – Grant Wheeler
• Vice President – Ruth Livingstone
• Women’s Officer – Rachelle Down
• Secretary – Patrick O’Mara
• Assistant Secretary – Lachlan Grant
• Membership Registrar – Holly Eades
• Work Health and Safety Officer – Peter Adams

Branch Delegates

• Ivan Coates 
• Norton Roughley
• Alexa Appel
• Matthew Etherton
• Tomas Forster