news - voting
Union Ranger - september 2010
After a long delay the Certified Agreement was signed by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission on the 19th July, 2010. All the provisions agreed to during the enterprise bargaining negotiations can now be implemented.
TPreparation work for the implementation of some of the projects (such as The Amalgamation of the CPWEA and the Supplementary Arrangements, and the Review of ATL Guidelines) had already commenced. The completion date for these is March 2011.
Agreements that have been implemented immediately with the certification are:
- The increase in the fire allowance from $40.40 to $75.00 per week. This increase has been back dated to the 1st November, 2009 and staff who claimed this allowance after the 1st of November will receive back pay.
- The change over to the Public Service travel directive. Ranger staff now claim their TA the same way as public servants. Rangers using TMS will have noticed the changes with the system asking for departure and arrival times so that individual meal allowances can be calculated, instead of the flat rate $98.55 covering all meals and incidentals claimed under the old system.
- The construction/reconstruction allowance clause in the CPWEA has been amended to include vessel repairs and maintenance. Ranger staff are now able to claim the allowance for repairs or maintenance to marine vessels other than minor or scheduled servicing and minor repairs.
- The list of locations receiving the Restricted Area Allowance is being updated with the new centres agreed to during the negotiations
Some provisions will take longer to implement. Work is underway on the Amalgamation of the CPWEA and the Supplementary Arrangements and the Review of ATL arrangements with the completion date for these projects being March 2010.
As I mentioned in the last update, soon staff will be asked to comment on drafts of clauses in the CPWEA and the ATL Arrangements. This is your chance to have direct input into these projects. When you see the request for feedback come through, please take the opportunity to read the documents and offer your opinion. Our ranger workforce operates in many different environments so there are many different factors to consider, and it’s only through feedback from field staff that the best outcomes can happen.
Trial of an alternative Job Evaluation Methodology System
The review of the JEMS process being conducted by Dept of Justice and Attorney General is still in progress. QPWS management and the unions will wait to see the outcomes of this review and offer feedback to the Dept of Justice and Attorney General to ensure that QPWS has a suitable system for determining the classification of rangers.
RANGER INDUSTRIAL FORUM MEETING NO 3 and 4.
Two more RIF meetings have been held since the last update.
Unfortunately there has been little progress on some of the key issues the AWU have been pursuing. These include
- The review of casual positions in QPWS.
- The trial of an alternative JEMS process
- Discussion on roles and responsibilities of WOO2’s
The AWU will now pursue these items out of session to try and resolve them. They are important issues that directly impact on the work load and security of rangers and the AWU will continue until they are finalised.
To read the minutes from previous RIF meetings go to the QPWS ranger website at www.awu.org.au/rangers. Here you will find all the minutes from previous meetings as well as the current and resolved items the AWU have with the department. If you would like to provide feedback on the website, or would like any more info on these topics please email rangers@awu.org.au.
The Ranger Industrial Forum is an important link for ranger staff directly to the Senior Directors of the QPWS. Concerns raised by members on the ground are discussed at delegate teleconferences prior to a RIF. These concerns are then taken directly to senior management by the RIF.
Have your say. A key factor is having a strong delegate network in the workplace that can provide the AWU with information from field staff. If your workplace does not have a delegate or you would like to know who your nearest delegate is, send an email to rangers@awu.org.au or phone 0429 059 014.
The AWU rangers’ website
www.awu.org.au/rangers/
The AWU has updated its website with the latest issues and outcomes that have come from ongoing negotiations with the department. Follow the links through “news and communication/awu news for qpws rangers/standing issues. Here you will find what issues the AWU are currently addressing with the department and what matters the AWU have been able to resolve for rangers. While you’re there have a look around the website and give us some feedback. There are a number of sections for rangers to contribute to. Have a look at the photo gallery and send some of your own in. This is site for rangers to use and develop for their benefit and will be updated monthly. Send any contributions or feedback to rangers@awu.org.au.
The members are the “union”
The more AWU members that are active within the QPWS, the more negotiating power rangers have. This means a safer, more prosperous workplace for all rangers.
AWU members achieved success with the last round of enterprise bargaining in difficult economic circumstances, because of their commitment. Now is the time to begin preparing for the next EB campaign. Members should encourage workmates to become part of the AWU. By becoming part of the AWU, rangers will have a strong voice to campaign for better working conditions, and better resourcing for the QPWS. For more information on becoming part of the Australian Workers Union, please contact your workplace delegate or your AWU local organiser, or visit www.awu.org.au/rangers/ and down load a membership form.
To download copies of your Award and your current agreement, please visit and click on the “Know your Rights” section.
