PROPOSED QUEENSLAND CORRECTIVE SERVICES - CORRECTIONAL EMPLOYEES' CERTIFIED AGREEMENT 2016
Key elements of the proposed agreement The key elements of the proposed agreement include: a three year term agreement commencing 1 May 2016, with a nominal expiry date of 30 April 2019; 2.5% per annum wage increases over three years for all cohorts, except for classification levels CO1-01 to CO1-07 inclusive; a revised classification progression structure for classification levels CO1-01 to CO1-07 inclusive of reduced headline wage increases for those classification levels of: 0.5% on 1 May 2016; A further 0.5% on 1 May 2017; and 0.00% on 1 May 2018.
Key elements - continued revision of the aggregated shift allowance in the event of any significant move away from the 12 hour shift model; provision of an allowance in the event of a missed meal break on Escort; provision of an allowance in the event of a missed meal on Escort; continuation of existing agreement provisions; re-instatement of agreement provisions that were previously excluded or removed, to restore fairness; reinstatement of six months WorkCover top up (not included in the agreement but actioned as an administrative arrangement as part of the agreement reached); and the inclusion of the dog squad allowance.
Proposed Structure % Difference between increments CCO 1-1 $1,842.01 CCO 1-2 $1,885.03 2.34% CCO 1-3 $1,932.64 2.53% CCO 1-4 $1,983.56 2.63% CCO 1-5 $2,038.64 2.78% CCO 1-6 $2,095.54 2.79% CCO 1-7 $2,152.43 2.71% CCO 1-8 $2,201.53 2.28% CCO 1-9 $2,250.32 2.22% Average 2.53%
Summary of proposed changes to the progression arrangements Current Progression Arrangements Proposed Progression Arrangements Custodial Officers CO1-1 to CO1-4 with Certificate 3 CO1-1 to CO1-7 with Certificate 3 CO1-5 to CO1-7 with Certificate 4 CO1-8 and CO1-9 with Certificate 4 CO1-8 to CO1-9 with Diploma Trade Instructors Unable to progress beyond CO2-2 Supervisors Progression from CO2-4 to CO3-1 with a Diploma and assessment Progression up to CO2-4 with a Diploma Progression up to CO3-4 with a Diploma
Supervisors Effective from the date of certification a Certificate IV in Correctional Practice will be a prerequisite for appointment to the role of Correctional Supervisor. Supervisors with a Diploma will be able to progress from CO2-4 to CO3-1. Newly appointed Supervisors with a Diploma can progress from CO2-1 through annual increments to CO3-1 and then through further annual increments to CO3-4. Existing Supervisors with a Diploma who progress through annual increments to CO3-1 and then through further annual increments to CO3-4.
Dispute Resolution Part 9 of the proposed agreement provides for the Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Subject to legislation, while the dispute procedure is being followed, normal work is to continue except in the case of a genuine safety concern. In the event of any disagreement between the parties as to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement, the following procedures shall apply: a) The matter is to be discussed by the Employee's Union representative and/or the Employee/s concerned (where appropriate) and the General Manager/Manager in the first instance. The discussion should take place within 24 hours where reasonably possible and the procedure should not extend beyond 7 days. b) If the matter is not resolved under clause 9.1.3(a), it shall be referred by the Union representative and/or the Employee/s to the Deputy Commissioner who shall arrange a conference of the parties to discuss the matter. This process should not extend beyond 7 days where reasonably possible.
Dispute Resolution continued c) If the matter remains unresolved it may be referred to the Commissioner or nominee for discussion and appropriate action. This process should not exceed 14 days where reasonably possible. d) If the matter is not resolved then it may be referred by either party to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for conciliation.
Where to from here? Consultation Section 144 of the Industrial Relations Act 1999 requires that employees be balloted on whether they wish to approve the proposed agreement. However, before a ballot can occur the Department must give employees access to a copy of the proposed agreement. Employees will be given a period of 2 weeks in which to peruse the Agreement before being balloted. The period of consultation will commence on Monday, 19 September 2016.
Ballot Following the consultation period the parties will engage the Australian Electoral Company to conduct a ballot of employees on the proposed Queensland Corrective Services Correctional Employees Certified Agreement 2016. Prior to the commencement of the ballot employees covered by the proposed agreement will receive an email from the Australian Electoral Company explaining the voting process along with a unique password. Staff who are on leave at the start of the ballot period will receive a letter from the AEC with the details needed to vote online. The ballot will commence on Tuesday, 4 October 2016 and will conclude on Monday, 17 October 2016. When the ballot closes the Australian Election Company will count the ballot votes and a result will formally be declared.
Results of the ballot If the result is that a valid majority of employees are in favour of the proposed agreement, QCS and Together will make application the QIRC to have the Queensland Corrective Services Correctional Employees Certified Agreement 2016 certified and pay rises will commence with an effective date of 1 May 2016. If the result is that a valid majority of employees do not support the proposed agreement, the operative date and pay rises will be lost. The matter will then be referred to the Queensland industrial Relations Commission for arbitration.
Contacts For further information on the agreement please contact: QCS Employee and Industrial Relations on 3239 6281 Or Together Queensland Industrial Union of Employees on 3017 6117.