Do you support the call for no forced redundancies?
The CPSU has called for a ‘no forced redundancy' guarantee in relation to Centrelink jobs.
The call follows today's announcement that the proposed expansion of Centrelink's call centres in Launceston, Hobart and Coffs Harbour will not proceed, and that the agency is looking to reduce staff numbers, initially in its National Support Office.
CPSU Deputy President, Lisa Newman said Centrelink staff want the Rudd Government to give an "absolute guarantee" there won't be any forced redundancies in Centrelink as a result of the razor gang.
"Forced redundancies are bad for staff, bad for clients and bad for Centrelink. They can and should be avoided. We need the new Government's word on this," Ms Newman.
The union is also calling on Centrelink management to make clear its plans to manage staff workloads with a decreasing workforce.
"Frontline Centrelink staff are already over-stretched and the agency has a higher than average number of stress-related workplace injuries. These cuts have the potential to exacerbate this problem.
"But it's not just staff who will wear the negative impact of these cuts; Centrelink clients will feel them too. These changes will lead to longer queues and call waiting times.
The CPSU has also raised concern about the impact the cuts will have on employment in regional areas.
"If the government has decided Centrelink is no longer in a position to provide job opportunities for people in Coffs Harbour, Hobart and Launceston, what alternative regional employment plans are they putting forward?
"If the Government can take action for car manufacturing workers in South Australia, surely it can do something for Tasmanian call-centre workers," said Ms Newman.
Your say: Feel free to post a comment below on this story.
Centrelink in Tasmania have identified at least 3 jobs that are likley to be considered excess. By their own personal handbook they have to give these people 4 weeks notice to make a decison wether to take the money and run or seek redeployment but they are only giving them 2 weeks. Mangagers are not communicating with their staff. Hank Jorgen was on Hobart Radio today and was questioned about Centrelink Job Cuts and he said he was not aware of the need to cut any jobs in Tasmania.
Posted by:DPT - 27 Mar 2008, 9:13pm
If Centrelink need to cut up to 2000 staff how can Centrelink ill afford to be conducting a national graduate program in the current Gazette 27/03/08. It would appear hipicritical of centrelink to be bringing fresh blood in at the expense of long serving members. They may argue they need the a certain skill. How about centrelink commit to the training and developement of their existing staff and get them the skills. The fact the advertisements are taking place is more of a reason for the CPSU to enforce no forced redundancies.
Posted by:RLTP - 8 Mar 2008, 10:01pm
With the recent cuts announced in various agencies, I don't believe there should be a situation where there is forced redundancies. Agencies are continually recruiting, making non ongoing employees ongoing which just adds to the current overstaffing. The CPSU needs to take a overall public sector approach. I am a CPSU delegate and I am aware that my agency which is not Centrelink/DFAT has 40% of staff over 50 years of age. A lot of these staff would jump at a redundancy which is why the CPSU should be pushing for redeployment to other agencies. It does'nt make sense for the public service to give forced redundancies without sourcing other agencies first. There may very well be 2000 cuts at Centrelink however there may be staff in other agencies wanting VR's so it does'nt get to a forced VR situation which to me would be unacceptable as a member.
On a seperate note the CPSU seriously need to look at getting the entitlements for Redundancies reviewed. In the private industry I am aware of company's giving 5 weeks for every year with no capping. This is currently going on in a family members company. This to me highlights the fact the government are behind in their generousity as far as redundancy provisions.
Posted by:Peter - 27 Feb 2008, 1:18pm
Cuts will have to come from all areas of Centrelink. You cannot take them just from National Office - to say they can take the (roughly) 35% cut is naive. SES have been targetted and front office staff will go as well. It's a very large cut so no one will be untouched.
Posted by:Maree Spence - 25 Feb 2008, 11:05pm
Kate was exactly right when she enquired why the unemployment figures are the model for staffing levels. There are so many more customers on other payments than the 'dole'. If we took away the unemployed figures, there will hardly be a drop in the numbers of Centrelink customers. Does the Govt think that families on a low income or pensioners don't count.? Yes, the Govt only uses the unemployment figures because that's what the public and media notice the most during elections.
Centrelink in Tasmania have identified at least 3 jobs that are likley to be considered excess. By their own personal handbook they have to give these people 4 weeks notice to make a decison wether to take the money and run or seek redeployment but they are only giving them 2 weeks. Mangagers are not communicating with their staff. Hank Jorgen was on Hobart Radio today and was questioned about Centrelink Job Cuts and he said he was not aware of the need to cut any jobs in Tasmania.
If Centrelink need to cut up to 2000 staff how can Centrelink ill afford to be conducting a national graduate program in the current Gazette 27/03/08.
It would appear hipicritical of centrelink to be bringing fresh blood in at the expense of long serving members. They may argue they need the a certain skill. How about centrelink commit to the training and developement of their existing staff and get them the skills. The fact the advertisements are taking place is more of a reason for the CPSU to enforce no forced redundancies.
With the recent cuts announced in various agencies, I don't believe there should be a situation where there is forced redundancies. Agencies are continually recruiting, making non ongoing employees ongoing which just adds to the current overstaffing. The CPSU needs to take a overall public sector approach. I am a CPSU delegate and I am aware that my agency which is not Centrelink/DFAT has 40% of staff over 50 years of age. A lot of these staff would jump at a redundancy which is why the CPSU should be pushing for redeployment to other agencies. It does'nt make sense for the public service to give forced redundancies without sourcing other agencies first. There may very well be 2000 cuts at Centrelink however there may be staff in other agencies wanting VR's so it does'nt get to a forced VR situation which to me would be unacceptable as a member.
On a seperate note the CPSU seriously need to look at getting the entitlements for Redundancies reviewed. In the private industry I am aware of company's giving 5 weeks for every year with no capping. This is currently going on in a family members company. This to me highlights the fact the government are behind in their generousity as far as redundancy provisions.
Cuts will have to come from all areas of Centrelink. You cannot take them just from National Office - to say they can take the (roughly) 35% cut is naive. SES have been targetted and front office staff will go as well. It's a very large cut so no one will be untouched.
Kate was exactly right when she enquired why the unemployment figures are the model for staffing levels. There are so many more customers on other payments than the 'dole'. If we took away the unemployed figures, there will hardly be a drop in the numbers of Centrelink customers. Does the Govt think that families on a low income or pensioners don't count.? Yes, the Govt only uses the unemployment figures because that's what the public and media notice the most during elections.