Workers compensation bulletin
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Some good news for Universities
Volume
One 2012 - NSW universities in surplus
Auditor-General's Report to Parliament
30 May 2012
The NSW Auditor-General, Mr Peter Achterstraat, today reported
that all ten NSW universities achieved operating surpluses in 2011, with the
University of NSW achieving the highest surplus of $88.9 million followed by
the University of Sydney with $88.5million.
“In 2010, only eight universities achieved surpluses, so I am
pleased to see a surplus for all ten universities in NSW,” said Mr
Achterstraat. “There has also been an improvement in the achievement of
government financial performance benchmarks. Four NSW universities achieved all
four benchmarks, compared to two last year.”
The Auditor-General noted that universities continue to face
funding challenges for employee long service leave and annual leave
obligations. Universities had long service leave obligations of $571 million,
an increase of 23 per cent on last year.
“While most universities are reducing excess annual leave
balances, managing leave is a continual challenge,” said Mr Achterstraat. “High
levels of unused leave are a red flag for any organisation raising both financial
and work, health and safety risks,” he said.
Mr Achterstraat also highlighted the impact of an ageing workforce
on universities’ cash balances in the future.
“The increasing demand for funds to payout the entitlements of an
aging workforce creates liquidity risks for the universities,” he said.
The Auditor-General’s Volume 2, 2012, reports on
the audits of all ten NSW universities’ 2011 financial statements.
Further
information
Emily Watson, on 02 9275 7408 or 0425 329 363 and emailemily.watson@audit.nsw.gov.au
Leafleting to inform others about the cuts to workers compensation
Ultimo was filled with the words "Changes to Workers Compensation" and "Stand up against the cuts to workers Compensation" take a leaflet thanks to our CPSU organiser and local delegates this morning.
Rosa Bow and Nathan Bradshaw Building 1
Max Callaghan Building 10
Ultimo TAFE was covered by Leon Parrisi, Ian Lisser and other delegates.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Your Workers Compensation Rights Under Threat
Follow the link to the Flyer.
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByefXfSUN33maS1CR2ozRFE4WXM
Dear member,
The
O’Farrell Government plans to severely cut workers compensation payments.
In quick
succession they have released an issues paper, set up a parliamentary inquiry
and said they will push through the Parliament this session changes to the
workers compensation scheme.
It’s a rush
job with negligible public discussion and scant examination of the evidence.
The
Parliamentary Inquiry was authorised on May 2, has had three public hearing
days, with only a handful of interested parties given an opportunity to put
their case, and it’s going to report on June 13. The PSA is one of the many not
heard.
On
Wednesday June 13 there will be a large lunchtime rally outside Parliament
House, and rallies in Wollongong and Newcastle. Members who can are asked to
attend these rallies.
This is not a
stopwork meeting. Members attending are asked to take a long lunch break or
take flex or recreation leave. If your manager refuses a leave request contact
the PSA/CPSU immediately.
Other
members throughout the state can contribute to the public pressure against the
unnecessary and harsh changes proposed by:
· Signing
and circulating the petition which can be downloaded from the PSA website at http://www.psa.labor.net.au/
· Holding
a PSA meeting at your workplace to discuss the issues and endorse the
recommended resolution – download from the PSA website.
· Invite
your PSA/CPSU industrial officer and organisers to attend your meetings
· Visit
the combined unions campaign site and send a message to your Member of
Parliament, add a story to the site, sign the online petition – it’s at http://www.nswforall.org.au/
· Arrange
a visit to your local MP
· Ring
your local radio station or send a letter to your local paper
· There
is background information on the PSA and campaign websites, and in the
last Red Tape.
Thank you to
members who have already committed to the rallies or have acted on the above
suggestions.
The
Government’s proposals are heavily loaded against the longer term ill and
injured. They propose
to:
· Reduce
weekly payments after 13 weeks
· Cap
weekly payments after 2.5 years – after 6months most long term injured receive
only $432 per week, which is below the poverty line
· Cap
medical payments at 2.5 years, ignoring the fact that severely injured or ill
people need ongoing treatment even though they may be back at work
· Stop
partners of those killed at work being compensated for nervous shock
· Stop
lump sum payments for pain and suffering
· Removal
of coverage for trips to and from work
· Make
harder the test for employer negligence in lump sum claims
We opposed
the current scheme enacted in 2001 because it made things harder for injured
workers and their families. Those changes have also give employers a 33 percent
reduction in premiums.
Now the
O’Farrell Government wants to further cut benefits.
The proposed
cuts are not acceptable. We can force changes or even block the changes if we
exert enough pressure. On June 13 let the government know their cuts are not
accepted. And after June 13 make it clear they will not be forgotten or
forgiven.
John
Cahill
General
Secretary.
Workers Compensation June 13 Rally in Sydney
Wednesday
June 13 at 12.30pm.
Rally
outside Parliament House
PSA/CPSU
members & supporters are asked to meet at the George St end of Martin Place
at 12.00-12.15 so we can move up to the rally en masse.
Workers
Compensation rights are too important. Don't let them take it away.
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