The Know Your Rights bulletins are a series of factsheets to assist CSIRO staff to better understand and enforce their rights at work. The sources of these rights are contained in the CSIRO Enterprise Agreement 2008-2011 (the agreement) and relevant legislation.
Redundancy Situations, Support and Substitution
The Know Your Rights bulletin series has ended but staff have recently asked the Staff Association to provide some specific information in relation to redundancy situations, support for members and the redundancy substitution option.
Why are redundancy situations a major issue at CSIRO?
Despite record levels of appropriation funding from the Federal Government (an increase of 6.4% in the last Budget) and additional revenue from the WiFi patent for example, staff at CSIRO are increasingly being told that the organisation is financial constrained. Many Divisions have been (and are currently) cutting costs and making staff potentially redundant.
Where has all the revenue gone?
The CSIRO Executive Team (ET) have not properly explained to staff why the organisation is financially constrained, particularly as overall staffing numbers are not increasing . Is it because of the costs associated with implementing SAP? How much can be attributed to the increases in Senior Executive salaries or high end Clause 11 contracts? The Staff Association is seeking answers directly from the ET, but members should also contact us at csstaff@cpsu.org.au with information.
What is happening with external revenue?
The Staff Association notes the trend towards decreasing external revenue at CSIRO, despite the objectives of Flagships and other research initiatives in recent times. Staff accept that external revenue will fluctuate at various times, but there should be greater transparency and performance accountability from the ET, especially when jobs are at stake.
What happens when my Division makes staff potentially redundant?
Schedule 3 of the CSIRO Enterprise Agreement 2008-2011 applies. The Staff Association is only required to be made aware of redundancy circumstances if 15 of more officers are affected (Clause 3a), however we recommend that all officers request the involvement of the Staff Association at the earliest stage (Clause 3c).
Is redundancy substitution a legitimate option?
Yes. It is an important option because CSIRO does not have a scheme for voluntary redundancies. Redundancy substitution allows for other officers to be substituted in place of an identified potentially redundant officer. Substituted officers must be at the same classification level and have a similar skills match. Substitutions are at the discretion of CSIRO. More details of this process are contained on the CSIRO intranet.
How can I consider a redundancy substitiution?
Staff can formally register for redundancy substitution by completing an Availability for Redundancy Substitution form. Registered staff are then matched against all potentially redundant officers in CSIRO. An alternative option is to informally discuss the matter with Divisional HR staff. Before considering either option, we recommend that staff should talk confidentially to their Staff Association workplace delegate or organiser.
The following icons can be used to access the most recent Know Your Rights Bulletins
ISSUE 1 - Your right to be represented
Know Your Rights No.1.pdf
What gives me the right to be respresented?
Under clause 80 (e) (iii) of the agreement CSIRO staff are entitled to be represented by a staff representative or a colleague officer in any matter where there is a dispute concerning matters covered by the agreement. The CSIRO Staff Association strongly recommends that union members be represented by their local delegate or union organiser or official more
ISSUE 2 - Your right to be consulted
Know Your Rights No.2.pdf
Where are my rights to consultation contained?
The primary source of your right to be consulted comes from clause 54 of the agreement. This clause places obligations on CSIRO management to consult with their staff and where staff choose their representatives (unions). This fact sheet refers to the key provisions in this clause but members are urged to read this section of the agreement in full more
ISSUE 3 - Your right to probation
Know Your Rights No.3.pdf
Will the legislation which impacts upon probation change?
Yes. The laws impacting on probation will change when the Fair Work Act comes into force from the 1st July 2009. Currently CSIRO has a standard probation period of twelve months. Due to legislative change the maximum probation period will become six months. more
ISSUE 4 - Your right to part time work
Know Your Rights No.4.pdf
As a CSIRO part-time staff member where are my rights contained?
There are a number of sections of the agreement which pertain to part-time staff but the key clause is number 69 (Part-time/Job Share Arrangements). This fact sheet refers to the kay part-time entitlements but staff are strongly advised to read the relevant clauses of the agreement in full more
ISSUE 5 - Your right to equity and diversity
Know Your Rights No.4.pdf
Does the agreement commit CSIRO management and the unions to preventing and eliminating discrimination at CSIRO?
Yes. Clause 10b of the agreement states "The parties and officers bound by this Agreement will seek to prevent and eliminate unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, relationship or marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, religion, political opinion national extraction or social origin." more
Know Your Rights - Issue 6
ISSUE 6 - Flexible Working Hours
Know Your Rights No.6.pdf
Which part of the agreement covers Flexible Working Hours (FWH)?
Clause 74 of the agreement covers FWH and flextime. Staff are strongly advised to read this clause of the agreement in full. more
ISSUE 7 - Casual Employment
Know Your Rights No.7.pdf
Which part of the agreement covers Casual Employment?
The Key section of the agreement which covers casual employment is clause 14 more
ISSUE 8 - Overtime
Know Your Rights No.8.pdf
Where is my right to overtime contained?
Your right to overtime is contained at clause 23 of the agreement more
