Peter Christophers Response to our emails

Below is Peter Christophers respose to our emails regarding or Budget Action Plan(Found here http://psa-independent-voice.blogspot.com/2006/09/psaiv-budget-action-plan.html ) and our questions to the Secretary about Paid Board Positions and Union advertising prior to the last state election (found here http://psa-independent-voice.blogspot.com/2006/09/psaiv-questions-to-jan-mcmahon.html

-----Original Message-----From: Peter Christopher [mailto:pgc@cpsu.asn.au]Sent: Friday, 22 September 2006 5:01 PMTo: Kirkham, John (DAIS); Oxlad, Lindsay (DTEI); McComb, James (DAIS);Warren, Graham (DAIS); Boland, Marie (DAIS)Cc: Peter Christopher

Subject: PSA Council

Councillor Kirkham
As the General Secretary is currently engaged on issues to protectmembers on important issues such as the Budget, EB and Public SectorReform, she has asked that I respond to your email re matters dealt withat the Council meeting of 18 September, as the issues are operational innature.
Council determined that the matters which you raise were dealt with to finality. I, therefore, have nothing further to add.
Re your additional message concerning a special meeting of Council, asyou are aware through the report sent to all Councillors, a specialmeeting of Executive was held today regarding the State Budget.
This reply has been copied to those who were cc'd on your messages forinformation.
Peter ChristopherChief Industrial Officer
--
*******************************Peter ChristopherChief Industrial OfficerPublic Service Assoc of SA/CPSUPhone 08 8205 3224Fax 08 8223 6509Email pgc@cpsu.asn.auhttp://www.cpsu.asn.au*********************************

PSAIV Budget Action Plan

Dear General Secretary,

We note today’s horror budget and the major effects that this will have on our members. We urge you to convene an emergency Branch Council Meeting to debate the following resolution and any other business you think necessary relating to these matters. Given the urgency of these matters we advise that PSA Independent Voice Councillors are available anytime over the weekend to meet.

“This Meeting of PSA Council notes the release of the South Australian Budget. This Budget represents the most significant attack on state public sector workers since the slash and burn period of the Brown/Olsen Liberal Government.

We condemn the government’s narrow cost-cutting agenda and state our view that these measures represent a betrayal of traditional Labor values. In particular we state our strong opposition to the proposal to axe 1600 FTE positions, which comes in addition to over 200 that have just been cut. Our state public service can not spare 2000 workers and maintain the level of service South Australians deserve.

We recognise these latest cuts as part of a pattern of activity from the State Government that also includes claims ‘that the cupboard is bare’ in negotiating our new wages agreement, and the Government Reform Commission which appears to use the language of ‘flexibility’ to cynically launch an attack of the job security and employment conditions of our members.

Accordingly we resolve to commit to a campaign to oppose these measures. Further we resolve the following:

*That a one day campaign seminar of all PSA Worksite Reps be convened not later than the 29th of September to design a campaign directed at fighting these cuts and attacks on our wages and conditions.

*That mass meetings of all PSA members in major metropolitan and country areas be held not later than the 6th of October 2006. These meetings shall seek membership endorsement for a campaign plan including a commitment to enter into an immediate campaign on these issues.

*That a campaign committee consisting of all interested PSA Reps be established with the goal of developing an appropriate legal, political, community and industrial strategy.”



Please feel free to contact us to discuss this further.

Yours In Unity

James McComb, John Kirkham, Marie Boland, Graham Warren

PSAIV Questions to Jan McMahon

Questions to the Secretary under standing order L 117

State general election advertising by the PSA

*What is the name of the advertising agency used?

*How was the figure of $250 000 arrived at?

*How was the subject matter and format of the ads determined?

*Name all companies, individuals or other entities that gained a financial benefit from the production of ads?

*Was there any pre ad focus groups/polling/impact assessment conducted either before or after the ads ran?

*What discussions were held with the government or government agency regarding the production of the ads?

*What commitments were sought from the government on behalf of members in return for the union’s involvement in the election campaign? In what from where they provided and by whom?

Were these commitments (if any) sought in a form that would be legally enforceable? If not why not?

*What discussions were held with officials of the Australian Labor Party about the advertisements?

*Did any PSA member derive a benefit from appearing in an advertisement?


Board Election to Super SA and Funds SA

*What was the process used to preselect the union candidates to the Super SA and Funds SA Boards for the upcoming term?

*Has any union resources ever been used to campaign for board positions on these organisations?

*What financial benefit (if any) does a board member receive for sitting on these boards?

*If there is a benefit, will the union endorsed board members be directing this benefit into union revenue or keeping the funds themselves?

*During last ten years who received a benefit by being a union endorsed candidate on these boards, what was the board members name and were these benefits directed into union revenue or kept by the board member?

Savings and Loan and Health Partners boards

*Who if any have ever been union endorsed candidates for the boards of Savings and Loan and Health partners?

*What was the process used to preselect the union endorsed candidates to the Savings and Loan and Health Partners boards?

*Has any union resources ever been used to campaign for board positions on these organisations?

*What financial benefit (if any) does a board member receive for sitting on these boards?

*If there is a benefit, has the union endorsed board members directed this benefit into union revenue or have they kept the funds themselves?

*During last ten years who received a benefit by being a union endorsed candidate on these boards, what was the board members name and were these benefits directed into union revenue or kept by the board member?

Jan McMahons Response To PSAIV Questions

MEMO

TO: COUNCIL

FROM: GENERAL SECRETARY

RE: RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS

DATE: 18 SEPTEMBER 2006
______________________________________________
Questions have been asked regarding the PSA pre state election advertising campaign against the proposed 4,000 job cuts by the Opposition, and also in regard to union endorsed candidates on Boards.

This memo deals with those matters.

Prior to the 2006 State election the Opposition announced a policy to cut 4,000 public sector jobs if elected. As a result of that announcement Council determined to authorise a media campaign to oppose public sector cuts and allocated up to $300,000 for this purpose.

The Chief Industrial Officer was delegated authority to manage the project, including "commercial in confidence" aspects, which occurred within very restrictive time restraints.

Quotes were obtained prior to production. Commercial arrangements were entered into . No PSA official or staff received a benefit from the arrangements.

The report considered by Council prior to its decision included the following:

"It is essential that PSA firmly deal proposal to cut services and jobs, and to promote the value of the work undertaken by PSA members for the community. The benefit of such a campaign is that as well as attacking the Opposition proposal it also sends a clear message to any Government, and the community, about the value of the work undertaken by PSA
members.

It is proposed that academic research be undertaken on the
effect of job losses, and that TV advertisements be prepared and run, together with investigation of other options such as radio, bus shelters and bill boards"

No arrangements were entered into with the ALP regarding the campaign.

In respect to Super SA, Funds SA, Health Partners and Savings and Loans Credit Unions Board Positions the PSA has traditionally supported candidates who will look after the interests of members while at the same time satisfying all their requirements as Directors. Candidates supported in 2006 were current Board members.

The matter of remuneration is a matter for the Boards themselves, with the usual disclosure information available through their Annual Reports.

RECOMMENDATION

That the General Secretary's response to questions be noted and the matter now be regarded by Council as finalised.





JAN MCMAHON
GENERAL SECRETARY