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Winter 2002

HACSU's Temp Campaign continues

HACSU’s campaign to halt the employment of high numbers of temporary employees and convert existing temporary employees to permanent status continues.

This has been one of the longest running campaigns undertaken by HACSU.

HACSU has had considerable success with nearly 1,000 temporary employees now made permanent, however there are still many longtime temporary employees who deserve to be permanent who have not been converted.

HACSU recently made a number of applications to the State Service Commissioner, arguing the Department had breached the Act through the employment processes.

Following this, a process has commenced under the auspices of the State Service Commission to attempt to find a resolution for HACSU members who have not been able to gain conversion to permanency.

At recent meetings with the Office of the State Service Commission it has become clear that there are various groups and categories of employees who have valid claims. The circumstances surrounding the potential conversion to permanency for these categories of employees differ depending upon a number of factors.

The main issues are:

The time these employees were employed - Depending upon the year of employment and the regulations on employment that existed at the time, the method of conversion to permanency for these groups may differ.

The Legislation and other employment regulations that existed at the time -

Temporary employees may have been employed in an area in health where specific exemptions applied, therefore at the time there may not have been a requirement that a merit selection process in its current form applies. This may be relevant to the current process we are undertaking.

The Office of the State Service Commissioner has suggested in order to address all of the categories of employees, a staged conversion process would be more appropriate. This type of process will limit any confusion amongst members about which category they fall into.

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT CATEGORIES OF CLAIMS WILL BE PROVIDED TO MEMBERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

To further raise the stakes in this campaign HACSU has contacted the Premier, Jim Bacon, seeking a meeting to highlight the plight of a number of members. We want the Premier's assistance in a long-term resolution of this matter.

Jim Bacon has responded to HACSU's letter on this issue. In addition to this, HACSU has established a number of Committees across the State to coordinate the campaign and educate members about this issue. Many members would have noticed the "Convert Me" stickers distributed across the regions, which are a part of the campaign.

HACSU officials believe temporary employees trapped in non-permanent positions is an issue that is having an impact on staff morale.

The level of temporary employment within the Department is far too high and must be addressed as a matter of priority.
Resolving this longstanding issue must involve the establishment of better employment processes within the Department.

HACSU will continue to report back to members on progress as discussions with the State Service Commission progress.
Should members require further information, please contact your Regional Public Sector Organiser Julie Tolputt (North) 6331 2237, Karin Mathison (South) 6231 2253, Louise Leslie (North West) 6424 6885.