United magazine Winter 2016

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Supporting local Government women THE UNITED SERVICES UNION WAS A PROUD PLATINUM SPONSOR OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH OF THE AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION’S CONFERENCE HELD IN GUNNEDAH IN MARCH 2016. On a national scale, ALGWA is involved with major stakeholders to increase women’s representation in elected positions within Council and with female employment in local government. The USU has a long standing commitment to sponsoring this event as women make up a large percentage of members in Local Government and the Union recognises that when women are represented and supported by their union, workplaces are stronger and fairer as a result. USU General Secretary, Graeme Kelly, addressed the conference at the USU sponsored Gala Dinner, highlighting the possible detrimental effects that forced Council amalgamations will have on Council’s administrative sectors which are predominately female staffed. The USU was warmly received and Graeme was congratulated for his ongoing support of women in local government. THE ALGWA CONFERENCE DELEGATES OPPOSING FORCED MERGERS Women’s Committee heads to the Big House ON THURSDAY 12 MAY THE USU WOMEN’S COMMITTEE HEADED TO MACQUARIE STREET WHERE MPS AND USU MEMBERS ANNA WATSON (SHELLHARBOUR) AND JENNY AITCHISON (MAITLAND) HOSTED THE USU WOMEN’S COMMITTEE MEETING. THE UNION GIVES A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THANK ANNA AND JENNY FOR THEIR SUPPORT. TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN’S COMMITTEE RING CLARE RAFFAN ON 9265 8211. 18 • United Winter 2016
No Excuse for Triple (000) Zero Call taker Abuse Campaign THE NO EXCUSE FOR TRIPLE (000) ZERO CALL TAKER ABUSE CAMPAIGN, WAS LAUNCHED ON 3RD MAY BY COMMISSIONER DOMINIC MORGAN. The campaign is a Zero tolerance crackdown on abuse suffered by Control Centre Staff, who are USU members, while they are trying to go about their job. The Control Centre Staff routinely face an unacceptable level of abuse and threatening behaviour from members of the public when they are taking calls and trying to assist the community. Some of the offensive behaviour Call Centre Staff are faced with includes; Offensive language, threatening behaviour, screaming down the phone, yelling, arguing, name calling, belittling, rudeness, sexually suggestive, being uncooperative, and abusive. The Call Centre Staff are not only trained to take calls, they are also qualified to assist during a medical emergency by asking questions and providing medical instructions until a paramedic arrives. The Call Centre Staff do an extraordinary job often in intense and unrelenting pressure. They work long hours often at times when we are home with our families or in bed sleeping. NSW Ambulance measured the abuse in one shift. The statistics showed 8.32 per cent of Triple (000) Zero calls answered by one call taker in that shift contained a level of verbal abuse. NSW Ambulance provide a range of support measures for Call takers if they have been verbally abused which include; Formal debriefings, taking them off call taking duties, providing them with time out and counselling from Senior Managers, Counsellors, peer support officers or Chaplaincy Support as needed. However when a Call Centre Operator is taken off a roster, it places additional pressure on other staff to respond to calls in a time of crisis. NSW Ambulance will continue to stand by the Call Centre Staff and pursue abusive callers to the full extent of the law under the Telecommunications Act. Call Centre Operators are encouraged to report any incidents for further review and assessment. NSW Ambulance is currently rolling out the Campaign in the media. It aims to shine a light on the issue and impact it has on Call Centre Staff wellbeing and resilience long after the call ends. To see the NO Excuse for Triple (000) Zero Call Taker Abuse Campaign, visit the USU Facebook Page or NSW Ambulance Facebook page or visit The NSW Ambulance Website. HILTON BOMBING: We will never forget On Saturday 13 February the USU led the Memorial for the victims of Hilton Bombing. USU General Secretary paid tribute to the three workers - Council workers Alec Carter and William Favell and NSW Police Constable Paul Burmistriw - who lost their lives 38 years ago just doing their jobs when a bomb went off outside the Hilton Hotel in Sydney on 13 February 1978, after being loaded into the compactor of a garbage truck. United Winter 2016 • 19
Page 1 and 2: U facebook.com/UnitedServicesUnion
Page 3 and 4: We’re ready to fight WHERE DO I S
Page 5 and 6: DY TO PROTECT MEMBERS FIGHTING FOR
Page 7 and 8: JOB SECURITY urity is the number on
Page 9 and 10: Members reinstated after tough figh
Page 11 and 12: USU New Gen celebrates apprentices
Page 13 and 14: USU GENERAL SECRETARY GRAEME KELLY
Page 15 and 16: No progress yet on Qantas EBA 11 TH
Page 17: PICNIC DAY FUN & GAMES With the sun
Page 21 and 22: Hey, do you know someone who should
Page 23 and 24: BEEN HURT IN A CAR ACCIDENT? IN CLA
Page 25 and 26: HOT TOPIC Annual Assessments MANY M
Page 27 and 28: PICNIC DAY Top day as members celeb
Page 29 and 30: FAREWELL Retired ... but still in t
Page 31 and 32: USUKIDS corner GREAT PRIZES TO BE W

United magazine Winter 2016

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