PSA MEDIA RELEASE

21st June 2012 - For Immediate Use

Redeployment options must be fully explored for Corrections staff

The Public Service Association says the Corrections Department must do everything it can to try and redeploy those staff whose positions have been lost through restructuring.

The Department has confirmed the outcome of a restructuring proposal which will result in the loss of 130 positions. It says it will save $10 million by better streamlining and unifying its operations.

The PSA says it’s important that the number of positions which have been declared surplus does not end up translating into actual job losses.

“Government budget cuts are resulting in thousands of forced redundancies across the public service,” says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

“We need to ensure that this restructuring at Corrections and the streamlining of its operations actually delivers on its promise to provide better prison and offender management and that it wasn’t simply a government-enforced cost and staff cutting exercise in disguise.”

Richard Wagstaff says while there was general support for the changes among staff the focus must now be on those people whose positions have been lost.

“We don’t want to see them being pushed out the door with the loss of valuable knowledge and expertise. All options for redeployment must be fully and genuinely explored and that’s a message which needs to be taken on board throughout the public sector.”

The PSA is pleased that the Department has listened to staff around proposed changes to its health and safety units. The decision will mean there will continue to be a health and safety manager based at national office.

The PSA says restructurings are always difficult and it will continue to work with the Department to minimise the impact of the changes on affected staff.

ENDS

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