Docs Staff Want Better Workplace

Docs Staff Want Better Workplace

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday June 26, 1999

By LISA CARTY

Community Services Department (DOCS) staff in Wollongong have imposed work bans because they say their office is too cramped.

Workers at the Gladstone Ave Megacentre - established with the merger of six units in 1998 - have voted to blackban ministerial and Community Services Commission correspondence.

The Public Service Association's acting regional organiser Laurie Brady said conditions were so cramped that the 100 staff members were hampered in their work.

Their workstations were noisy and overcrowded, there was a lack of confidentiality for clients because private interviews could be overheard, and the telephone system was inadequate, Mr Brady said.

``The cumulative effect of this cost-cutting measure by relocating six separate units under the one roof has had a debilitating impact on service delivery to clients," he said.

Staff had decided to implement work bans after an unsuccessful nine-month campaign against the conditions.

The department's area manager Phil Smith said a meeting would be held with staff and a union representative on Tuesday.

``The Gladstone Ave facility has been audited and meets all occupational health and safety and regulatory standards concerning access, egress and workspace," Mr Smith said.

The building met all state property standards but the department was looking at ``a number of redesign options".

It was examining the possibility of providing better staff accommodation and better access to facilities, such as conference rooms and tea and coffee-making facilities.