MSAV + VPA +AHP News

New Enterprise Agreement for Diverge

jimmyc@msav.org.au (jimmy cinar) — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:12:14 GMT

Psychologist members at Diverge Consulting are poised to vote in support of a new enterprise agreement next week.

The agreement contains pay scales in line with the new public sector agreement, an increase in higher qualifications allowance in line with the public sector, an increase in professional development allowance (from $250 to $500 per financial year) and the addition of a new Grade 5 classification.

Time to Care Campaign

jimmyc@msav.org.au (jimmy cinar) — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:10:46 GMT

The Time to Care campaign, to improve laws supporting employees’ right to request flexible work to help them with their caring responsibilities, is in a critical stage.

Amendments to the Fair Work Act are currently being considered by federal parliament and so we need as many MPs as possible committing to support stronger laws.

In particular, the Independents will be critical to the success of the amendments.

Please write a letter to:
·         The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.
·         The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten.
·         The Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins.

If you support the right of carers to seek flexible work, if you want to see employers seriously consider these requests including laws for a decent appeal for when employers refuse requests unreasonably, please send a letter to these Members of Parliament.

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.
The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten.
The Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins.

In addition, go to the ACTU's Secure Jobs webpage for more facts, campaign articles and videos.

Time is ticking so thank you so much for your support!

Worth Reading...

jimmyc@msav.org.au (jimmy cinar) — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:09:32 GMT

Pay inequity, job insecurity and violence equals trifecta of discrimination for women
- From the Australian Council of Trade Unions

ACTU president Ged Kearney said it is time to call on employers to take an honest look at the impact of their practices on women.

“Women are experiencing a trifecta of discrimination that can greatly impact on their working life and financial future,” she said.

Ms Kearney pointed to systemic wage inequities, the cost of caring and violence as three areas where employers had the potential to be part of the solution rather than of part the problem. Read the full story here.

Recessions can hurt, but austerity kills
- The Guardian

In the US, more than five million people have lost access to health care. In Greece, there's a 200% increase in HIV cases. And in some of the worst-hit countries, suicide rates are up.

David Stuckler, author of an explosive new book, says the facts speak for themselves.

“The austerity programmes administered by western governments in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis were, of course, intended as a remedy – a tough but necessary course of treatment to relieve the symptoms of debts and deficits and to cure recession. But if, David Stuckler says, austerity had been run like a clinical trial, "It would have been discontinued. The evidence of its deadly side-effects – of the profound effects of economic choices on health – is overwhelming.". Read the full story here.

Given Tony Abbott’s alarmist rhetoric about a “budget emergency”, valid concerns are now being raised that if he wins the next Federal election, he may follow conservative governments in Britain, Spain and Greece down the same austerity path. We are entitled to be sceptical about talk of “audit commissions” and what motive may lie behind such proposals.

REMINDER: Union Membership Subscriptions 2013/14

jimmyc@msav.org.au (jimmy cinar) — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:02:32 GMT

The MSAV Council and the AHP and VPA Committees have resolved that Union subs for the next financial year will increase by 3%, taking into account the increased costs of running the Union, and the average increases that have been negotiated for members in both the public sector agreement and in private sector agreements.

Staff salaries will increase in line with the public sector agreement outcome, with the first increase being in the order of 4.25%.

Have you paid this year's fees?

jimmyc@msav.org.au (jimmy cinar) — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:00:11 GMT

A small number of members have overlooked paying this year’s fees. We will be sending Email reminders to unfinancial members. If you are in this category you might find it easier to pay by Direct Debit, instead of running the risk of being unfinancial.

For MSAV and VPA members being unfinancial will put your PI cover at risk – as well as making you ineligible for assistance from the Union. If you have overlooked payment, contact the office now to arrange payment. Remember, Union membership fees are tax deductible.

Your Rights in Brief

jimmyc@msav.org.au (jimmy cinar) — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:58:58 GMT

This week we look at: Long Service Leave (LSL).

If my hours or pay are reduced, will it affect my LSL entitlements?

Not in all cases. You may be able to conserve LSL already accrued at your higher rate in some circumstances. Such circumstances include transition to retirement, conversion from Regular Casual to Part Time employment (if leave is taken before October 2016) or by negotiation as a result of organisational change. Check your Agreement or ring us if in doubt.

Have any questions? Shoot us an email at enquiry@msav.org.au with your query.

Your Rights in Brief is written by Jennie Bremner, an experienced advocate and Senior Industrial Officer.

Worth Reading

jimmyc@msav.org.au (jimmy cinar) — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:54:12 GMT

Are feminists opposing Abbott’s paid parental leave scheme on personality grounds only?

There is an odd consensus emerging between conservative Liberals opposed to their own leader’s paid parental leave scheme and defenders of the Gillard government’s version of the same policy.

Into the strange mix, we can throw the business sector, which also opposes the contentious Abbott scheme. The business excuse is that it is paid out of a new levy on business – their view is obviously self-interested – but the motives of the conservative Liberals are less clear.

This is only a short excerpt from The Conversation’s piece by Eva Cox. Read the entire article here.

Approval of Public Sector Agreement Imminent

jimmyc@msav.org.au (jimmy cinar) — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:52:16 GMT

A conference has been scheduled in the Fair Work Commission next Wednesday for the approval of the Public Sector Agreement.

We expect that the approval process will be straightforward and that the Agreement will come into effect 7 days later on Wednesday 22 May 2013. The pay increases, back pay and sign on bonus should start flowing into members pay packets in the following pay periods.

Community Health Services Agreement

jimmyc@msav.org.au (jimmy cinar) — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:49:30 GMT

We have written to the VHIA (representing CHCs) regarding the drafting of the Agreement to cover members employed in stand-alone Community Health Centres. It was agreed in negotiations that the CHC Agreement will mirror the outcomes in the public sector Agreement. We have been waiting for a response from the VHIA for nearly three weeks.

We will provide a more detailed report as negotiations progress.

Your Rights in Brief

jimmyc@msav.org.au (jimmy cinar) — Fri, 03 May 2013 06:22:52 GMT

This week we look at: Requests for flexible working arrangements.

If my work is making it difficult for me to meet my parenting responsibilities, have I a right to seek changes to my working conditions?

Yes. You have a right to request more flexible working arrangements to care for a child who is under school age, or is under 18 years of age and has a disability. Such arrangements may include changing hours of work, rosters or work location. The employer can only refuse the request on “reasonable business grounds”.

Have any questions? Shoot us an email at enquiry@msav.org.au with your query.

Your Rights in Brief is written by Jennie Bremner, an experienced advocate and Senior Industrial Officer.