To: Each Branch Secretary – Attention All Members
Date: 20th November 2015
News Update: 021/15

Colleagues,

1. General Council / Central issues

1.1 Disciplinary code review

Negotiations are finalising on a revised Disciplinary Code with one or two key issues remaining which may still be problematic, in particular we are concerned about a provision that allows Management to rely on another work place investigation as the fact finding process that otherwise they must do under the Disciplinary code. We are also concerned to ensure that probationary staff are protected on foot of recent Labour Court recommendations.

Also under discussion is a new Underperformance Code which is to be introduced, subject to agreement, with the Disciplinary Code. Key issues here are the status of warnings arising during a Performance Improvement Process and at what stage Union representation kicks in.

1.2 Pregnancy related sick leave

We have posted a FAQ memo on www.cpsu.ie dealing with changes under the sick leave regulations on the processing of PRSL.

1.3 Flexi Time

The Agreement to restore a day and a half flexi leave has now being implemented and other than some difficulties about when it will happen and arrangements for work sharers there are generally no issues arising. In some areas, such as Garda, we had to ensure that work sharers could work up the full entitlement over 2 months, as here to fore.

1.4         Meeting with PAS

The Unions met Management in November to review the Psychometric test / on line testing process used in recent competitions. We have sought a statistical analysis of the EO competition focussing particularly on gender and age questions. We are concerned to establish if the complaints arising on these grounds are borne out by the consequent results. A key issue also arising at the meeting was what alternative we might propose instead of current testing mechanisms. In this regard the Unions have agreed to commission research to facilitate the debate, looking specifically at recruitment mechanisms.

1.5 CAF and Central Transfer Agreement

The union is due to meet DPER Officials shortly to begin a review of CAF and Central Transfer List arrangements. These talks have arisen due to concerns that Departments may be bypassing Agreements on transfer arrangements.

1.6 PMDS

Discussions have commenced on a new rating process for PMDS, the process being acceptable or not acceptable. Alongside this proposal DPER has also proposed a much more simplified suite of PMDS documents which are now being considered by the Unions and our Executive Committee. Further more detailed reports will issue as the negotiations continue.

1.7 Marriage Leave

We have just reached agreement on an increase of the threshold from 26 to 27 days which will allow for an additional day’s marriage leave for those of our members on 24 days leave, i.e. 3 days marriage leave for those on 24 days leave or 5 for those on 22 days leave. At the time of writing the Agreed Report of General Council has been signed.

2. 2. Social Protection

A presentation to union representatives recently provided an overview of the proposals currently being considered by DSP senior management for future delivery of services to the public. The presentation provided the current status of digital services and compared them to what is available generally in other Departments. It pointed to the next two years showing that currently only Public Service Cards appointments can be made on-line. However in December 2015 JB Claims, Holiday Request, Close Claim and Payment statement will be available and in 2016 they propose that Contribution Statement, Other scheme s (e.g. MAT, RS, IB, CB etc.), Education sector workers, Change in circumstances will be available on-line. In the long term the aim is to move the processing of the on-line claims to a back office function.

The union will debate the consequences of the presentation at the Executive Committee meeting next week and at the DSP National Committee when it next meets in December.

3. Garda

3.1 Garda National Committee

The Garda National Committee AGM took place on the 21^st October. The next meeting is scheduled for before Christmas.

3.3 Garda / discussions with Management on EO competition

The Union had further discussions with Management on a range of issues this week. It is expected that on foot of our discussions and indeed with the threat of action in Castlebar (see below) that the EO competition circular will issue very quickly, hopefully over the next week.

We have also advised Management that we will be further addressing staffing, vacancies and the overall civilianisation agenda at the Civilian Council meeting to be held on the 7^th December.

3.4 Garda Vetting

We expect to have a meeting with vetting Management in coming weeks. The key issues for the meeting will be matters raised with the Union by members at recent meetings including the management / supervision approach in the area.

3.5 GISC Castlebar

At our meeting in Castlebar in November we advised Management that we would not cooperate with any proposed changes until they moved on resource and promotion issues. Interestingly Management were able to advise on foot of this threat that the promised EO circular would issue within weeks and that 17 CO positions would be filled before Christmas. However we must await this and if Management try and press on with proposed changes to PULSE then we will have no choice but to ballot members. Another row may also arise from the PULSE changes which are to do with crime classification in the future, specifically new arrangements on classification for our members may change roles and responsibilities, a matter that will be subject to discussion in its own right apart from the resources question.

4. Justice

Discussions continue with Justice Management at Council on the 3^rd December on a range of issues, including;

• The controversial Solicitors panel
• Access to posts for SO’s, such as Visa Officer posts at embassies and Immigration Control
• Immigration Control Dublin Airport
• EO panel

A full report will issue to members after the Council.

5. PeoplePoint

The Union is meeting Peoplepoint Management next week to discuss the recent data protection breaches and other key issues affecting members, particularly the loss of sick leave certificates, overpayments, and payment of increments. We will report further after that meeting.

In relation to staffing at Peoplepoint we also expect to be briefed regarding the future for remaining TCO’s in Peoplepoint over the coming weeks.

6. Legal Aid Board

In recent discussions with Board Management the Union reached agreement on the question of ratios in relation to the Legal Clerk grade, that in line with the general EO grade that posts would be filled 50% on promotion internally and 50% through open recruitment.

7. Justice for Clery’s Workers

We are urging our members to continue to support the SIPTU led campaign for Justice for the Clery’s Workers who have been treated so shamefully by their former employers and those who took over the company and its’ assets. The campaign is now focused on securing a change in legislation to ensure this type of corporate abuse of workers doesn’t happen again. The next demonstration takes place outside the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation on Kildare Street in central Dublin on TUESDAY next November 24^th between 2 and 3 pm.

Eoin Ronayne

General Secretary