SA public sector conditions threatened

By Trish Corcoran and Melanie Sjoberg

ADELAIDE -- Attacks on workers in the state public sector have been unrelenting since the election of the Brown Liberal government last December. Bewildered by job cuts, targeted separation packages, outsourcing of services and privatisation, workers now face major changes to their conditions of employment.

In spite of pre-election assurances to the Public Service Association (PSA) that the Government Management and Employees Act (1985) would remain, a draft Public Sector Management Act is currently being circulated.

The draft paper would remove recognition of unions and management obligations to consult. It cancels public sector workers' tenure and allows termination of employment at “the government's discretion and without any notice period”.

The paper also calls for employees to be appointed to classification levels, not positions, and allows for the unilateral reassigning of positions. The government will attempt to reduce the potential for work bans by refusing to pay wages if all duties are not performed on a given day.

A PSA job delegates meeting was adamant that action should be taken, and some workplaces are holding meetings. The Department of Environment and Natural Sciences is discussing revenue bans.

PSA officials are lobbying the Democrats and the ALP to oppose the legislation and carrying out a letter writing campaign.

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