Significant developments occurred last week in the TOIL working group on the transitionals survey, and in the WRC, which is considering management proposals for significant cuts to the AGD study assistance.
TOIL Working Group
On Tuesday, the TOIL working group met to discuss the vexed issue of
transitional arrangements for the new TOIL policy which will commence in March.
Management started by indicating that the SLG considered the recommendations
for a new TOIL policy and agreed to them with the proviso that TOIL worked
outside the bandwidth must be approved in advance at FAS level, reflecting a
view amongst the SLG that outside bandwidth work should only be undertaken in
exceptional circumstances. It is unclear what the practical implications of this
will be.
78% of members responded to the CPSU survey on transitionals. Key findings
include that:
85.9% of respondents did not agree that it is necessary or desirable to
zero toil balances at the commencement of the new policy
Management's suggested models were disliked or strongly disliked by
clear majorities of respondents:
71.8% disliked or strongly disliked the 2.5 hour/fortnight
write-down model (11.2% were in favour)
69.2% disliked or strongly disliked the divisor model (18.6% were in
favour)
82.4% disliked or strongly disliked the combination of the two
(management's original proposal) (only 3.8% were in favour)
The only models with majority support were those proposed by the CPSU:
the clear winner was carrying over existing balances in full into
flexible work hour arrangement balances i.e. no transitional
arrangements (77.7% in favour)
putting existing balances into a separate pre-transition balance,
which would remain accessible, also received majority support (60.1% in
favour)
Comments demonstrated that staff are unimpressed with the notion that hours
worked in good faith should be written off without recompense or recognition.
On this basis, we urged management not to apply any of their models, and
recognise the strongly expressed view of staff that balances should be preserved
in full.
No agreement was reached on an appropriate model. Management indicated that
they would recommend to SLG that they either: (1) approve a divisor model, or
(2) approve the transfer of existing TOIL balances in the flexible work hour
arrangement balance on commencement.
We will consider what further action to take once SLG has made a decision on
these options.
Workplace Relations Committee
The WRC also met on Tuesday to consider three revised Employee Relations
Advices.
The revised Leave Policy and Remuneration and Conditions Flexibility for
non-SES employee policies were approved. We secured an amendment to the Leave
Policy to open up for the first time the possibility for leave supplementation
where non-ongoing staff exhaust their personal leave balance. The changes to
these policies otherwise reflected changes made in the 2011 Enterprise
Agreement.
Study Assistance Policy - significant cuts
The revised Study Assistance Policy was not approved by the WRC, and will be
discussed again at a special WRC meeting this week. CPSU has deep concerns at
significant cuts to study assistance conditions in the policy, including:
a cap of 50% financial assistance on postgraduate study
a cap of $1850 maximum assistance per semester
further reduction of the study assistance payable as HELP fees on both
of the above by 10%
a requirement for students to match the AGD financial contribution
dollar-for-dollar in upfront, non-reimbursed contribution
claw-back provisions to require repayment of study assistance when staff
leave the APS with 18 months of completing their study, or AGD before a
course is finished
removal of travel time from eligibility for study leave and a new
ability for AGD to reduce or cancel study leave at any time
various provisions to prevent payment of financial assistance even if
the employee passes the course, including where an employee receives an
unfavourable PPI assessment or where performance 'has declined' while
undertaking study.
Management revealed that they have been sitting on this policy for a year and
are keen to have it approved before Christmas so it can apply to the next round
of Study Assistance applications. We will attempt to resist the policy being
rushed through without proper consideration. We are disappointed that we were
not informed of the draft policy before the Enterprise Agreement negotiations,
as the changes in the policy clearly affect a key employment condition available
under the Enterprise Agreement.
Management have asked for written comments on the policy. We are urgently
preparing a position paper on the issue.
CPSU seeks your views on the draft study assistance policy (click
here to view previous bulletin for policy) or any other matters covered in
this bulletin.
