As the next meeting of the TOIL working group has been scheduled for Tuesday
6 December, we have extended the time for comments on the TOIL transitional
survey until COB Monday. The survey can be accessed
here
Results so far have indicated that 85% of members disagree with the idea that
it is necessary to zero balances at the commencement of the new policy, and they
strongly prefer existing balances to be carried over to the new system. Comments
have indicated significant disquiet at the idea that hours that have been
accrued in good faith should be clawed back without countervailing gains in the
TOIL policy.
The more responses we have, the better we will be able to convince management
to rethink their position. We would encourage all EL staff to do the survey to
help us to present as strong a case as possible to resist this proposal.
Workplace Relations Committee
The WRC met for the first time on 17 November and discussed procedural
matters.
The next WRC meeting will be held on Tuesday 6 December. Management have
tabled proposed amendments to a number of policies for consideration, including:
CPSU is still considering these papers. We seek your comments on these
policies.
In our initial findings, we note significant changes in the Studies
Assistance Policy, including:
provision that studies assistance should cover less than the full cost
of study (para 3.17),
hints that assistance should be prioritised amongst classes of employees
(such as graduates, non-ongoing staff, and staff who have received
unfavourable performance ratings) (para 1.5),
claw back provisions if officers leave AGD before completing a course,
or leave the APS within certain periods after the completion of study (para
3.21),
requirement that students using HELP to pay for the study must make
voluntary repayments equal or greater to the study assistance to be eligible
for reimbursement (para 4.6), and
revocation of pre-approved study assistance in certain circumstances (para
5.1).
If you have any other issues that you would like us to raise at the meeting,
please contact Departmental Union Representative Stephen Still (x3428;
stephen.still@ag.gov.au) or CPSU
Organiser Geeta Jatania
(geeta.jatania@cpsu.org.au).
