CSIRO Staff Association

Know Your Rights - Issue 8

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

Blue Water Discovery

Dr Michael Borgas - President Dr Michael Borgas, President CSIRO Staff Association

On 7th August 2009 Dr Michael Borgas and Sam Popovski attended the launch of a major 'blue water' research-vessel project by CSIRO's staff and Government. Dr Borgas wrote the following article on the event..more

Know Your Rights - Issue 7

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

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

NSW Field Organiser - Position Vacant - CSIRO Staff Association Sydney

A NSW field organiser position in the CSIRO section of the CPSU has become vacant.

The position will be based in the CPSU Sydney office. CSIRO Staff Association Delegates/active members are encouraged to apply.

Details of the position including selection criteria and contact details can be viewed here.

Applications close on 10th August 2009

Winners of the John Little Scholarship 2009

Kerryn Saltmarsh

Congratulations to Kerryn Saltmarsh, Jerry Coppleman and Lisa brindley on winning John Little Scholarships in 2009. For more information please click here

Jerry Coppleman

Know Your Rights - Issue 5

ISSUE 5 - Your right to equity and diversity

Know Your Rights No.5.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 4

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

Know Your Rights - Issue 3

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

Know Your Rights - Issue 2

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

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.

'Effort Logging, Not worth the effort' is certainly the conclusion that can be drawn from the results of the CSIRO Staff Association electronic survey. It also supports the strong anecdotal feedback previously obtained from CSA members right around the country.

Nominations are now open for workplace delegates and deputies in your workplace for 2009/2010. You must be a financial member of the CSIRO Staff Association to nominate. The term of office for Workplace Delegate and Deputy Delegate positions are 12 months and may be elected for additional terms. You do not need previous experience or special skills, just the ability to talk to workmates about what's important to them and the enthusiasm to help improve your workplace. Delegates have access to training and support for their role. To download a nomination form please click here

Effort logging has been around for many years but has now evolved into a sham bookkeeping exercise. Members are frustrated by the time wasted on effort logging and are understandably uncomfortable when distortion of data is required to comply with it. A short electronic survey is now available at https://www.cpsusurveys.org.au/csiro.htm. The data will be compiled as we ramp up our campaign to resolve this issue once and for all. For further information please click here

The CSIRO Staff Association is pleased to announce that entries for the John Little Scholarship 2009 are now open. For more information about the John Little Scholarship click here

Staff welcome funding boost to CSIRO research and infrastructure, The CSIRO Staff Association has welcomed enhanced funding for CSIRO, the Anglo-Australian Observatory and the National Measurement Institute in the 2009 Federal Budget. For further info please click the image above or here

In March 2009 Secretary Sam Popovski, President Michael Borgas and CSIRO Scientists Gavin Collis and Tony Vuocolo attended the FASTS Science Meets Parliament Conference. Gavin Collis has written a report on the event which can be viewed here.

To read more about FASTS and to view the Keynote speech from Professor Penny Sackett, Chief Scientist click here.

CSIRO Enterprise agreement 2008 - 2011 is available to download in pdf format by clicking the image or the link here

The CSIRO Staff Association welcomes the release of a Public Research Agency Charter for CSIRO. It heralds an important change for the better in the recognition of freedom for more diverse and independent views arising from the science base, and in valuing these contributions in open social debates. more

The Staff Association has written to the CEO and proposed a mechanism for the Chief Executive to pay the increase ahead of commencement of the new EA, following an initial verbal request by our President Michael Borgas. more

The Review of the National Innovation System released its report, titled "Venturous Australia", in September. The Staff Association welcomes the report but believes there can be improvements. more

The Howard federal government made large cuts to workers compensation coverage for all government workers. The Staff Association, as a part of the Comunity and Public Sector Union, is working to keep our members covered. more

For the latest news and relevent information for CSIRO Staff visit our news page.

The CSIRO Staff Association provides a number of benefits and services to its members. Joining is easy and the form can be found online.