Health and Community Services Union

HACSU has launched a new campaign website for the Respect in Disability Campaign members are currently running in support of Disability Support Workers in the Non-Government Sector.

The site will keep members and the general public up to date with the campaign, allow potential members to join up and lists which employers have passed on the pay increase they have been funded for, and which haven't.

The site also allows you to sign a pledge to join HACSU members at the National Day of Action on Thursday 10th June.

The new site can be found here: www.respectindisability.org.au.

Please tell your friends and colleagues about the site and visit it regularly to keep up to date with the campaign.

HACSU held a statewide delegates meeting on Tuesday 13th April to report back on the ongoing negotiations with the Department regarding the Roster Attendance Project [RAPs].

With the support of its delegates HACSU has won the voluntary use of the biometric system for existing employees. This is a significant concession by the DHS. Employees opting out of using biometrics will use a PIN number. New employees can opt out on legitimate religious, personal or health reasons. The DHS has not moved from its position to only roll out RAPs to rostered areas.

During April, a series of regional meetings for DHS employees will be held across the state where you will be able to vote for the Union Collective Agreement that members fought so hard for in 2008. By now, all HACSU members working for DHS should have received a brochure in the mail outlining the details of the vote and a reminder about what was won in 2008.

If you have not received one, please contact the Union office on 1300 651 931.

The voting schedule is as follows:

The DHS have now finally agreed to make the biometric finger scan associated with the proposed 'Roster and Attendance' system voluntary for all current staff. Current staff not wishing to participate in this system will be provided an alternative pin number system. Staff will effectively be able to choose which login system they prefer to use, thus alleviating the tensions felt by a number of members about such a system.

The HACSU campaign arising from the resolution passed at last years Statewide delegates meeting opposing Biometric scanning and calling for wider consultation. HACSU delegates have been working through the detail of the proposed system to resolve the concerns and issues of members.