Health and Community Services Union

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.

To progress the remaining issues, the following resolution was passed at the meeting: 

That this meeting of HACSU DHS disability services delegates notes the report of the progress of discussions with the DHS in respect to its Roster Attendance Project and in particular the meeting notes:

• The ongoing intention of the DHS to roll-out the system initially to DAS rostered staff;
• The commitment that existing staff shall voluntarily elect their log-in method between biometric or a PIN and the progress made on other issues as contained in tabled documents.

Given the progress this meeting authorises the State Secretary to continue negotiations in an attempt to conclude an implementation agreement covering all identified issues.

Subject to an implementation agreement being endorsed by the HACSU Delegates Reference Group this meeting endorses the cooperation with a trial of the proposed system to evidence functionality.

This authorises HACSU to continue to negotiate with the Department on all outstanding issues prior to committing a trial of RAPs.

The concession on the use of biometrics is a significant win for our members. We thank delegates who attended yesterday’s meeting and, particularly, those working on the HACSU Delegates Reference Group.

If you have any queries please contact your local Reference Group delegate: Ross Muldoon – Sandhurst, Chris Sanders – Loddon Mallee, Kerry Oldham – Gippsland, David Wood – Southern, Elwyn Young – Barwon South West, Deidre Eides – Colanda, Andrea Gleeson and Angela Landmann – Eastern, Andrew Thompson and Karthi Govender – North and West. Or you can contact Lisa White, Project Officer HACSU, on 9340 4100 or lisaw@hacsu.asn.au

Authorised by Lloyd Williams, State Secretary, 14 April 2010.