Preamble:
As set out in the accompanying bulletin, the PSA has secured an in-principle agreement with DCS which is subject to final approval from the PSA’s executive, DCS executive and PSIR. The PSA wants to obtain the approval of membership to inform whether the PSA’s executive approves the agreement. For the reasons set out in the accompanying bulletin, PSA staff endorses a ‘yes’ vote.
The two terms of the agreement which are subject to this vote are:
Term 1:
Any Building Inspector or Automotive Inspector who, since January 2023, was denied the ability to, or was eligible but did not, make an application for a clause 29 one day travel meal allowance claim, will be allowed to submit the claim (with supporting evidence) for assessment by the delegated approver. Any employee who undertook travel on official business which did not require them to obtain overnight accommodation and met the requirements set out in clauses 29.1.1, 29.1.2 or 29.1.3 of the Conditions Award will, upon application and approval by the delegated approver be paid the relevant meal allowance.
Term 2:
In lieu of back pay, SafeWork inspectors will be able to elect between the following options:
a) the Department will pay to SafeWork Inspectors a one-off lump sum payment of up to $3,000 (depending on years of service), representing a 4 year back pay equivalent of $750 per 12 month period. The amount will be pro-rated for any SafeWork Inspectors with less than 4 years’ of service in the relevant SafeWork Inspector role.
OR
b) SafeWork Inspectors may submit claims under clause 29 for the 4 year period preceding 1 July 2023. If that Inspector travelled on official business which did not require them to obtain overnight accommodation and has met the requirements set out in clauses 29.1.1, 29.1.2 or 29.1.3 of the Conditions Award they will, upon application and approval by the delegated approver, be paid the relevant allowance for each substantiated claim for the 4 year period preceding 1 July 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, any claims for that period must be made by the employee with supporting evidence in a form acceptable to the Department.
To avoid any confusion, we note that SafeWork inspectors will have the ability to choose between the two options identified in term 2 if the PSA’s executive approves the in-principle agreement.