Queensland's correctional officers are on the front line every day. Our communities rely on correctional officers to keep everyone safe. That is why Together members are proud to celebrate National Corrections Day today. Thanks to the work of Together members, Queensland's correctional officers are the best-paid in the country. In 2022, Together members finally got a new EB certified, won a significant victory on superannuation entitlements, and saw the successful resolution of the long-running 12/12 dispute, meaning that most custodial correctional officers will receive pay increases of at least 10%. All these pay increases are more than richly deserved and they would not have happened without Together members. Of course the work of union members is far from done. The work of corrections officers remains difficult and dangerous. Every worker deserves a safe place of work and Together corrections members are still standing strong in 2023 for improved safety in our prisons. If you're a correctional officer, the best thing you can do for safety, for better working conditions, and for your colleagues is to be a member of Together. On behalf of the entire community, we want to celebrate and recognise the vital front-line work of Queensland Corrections staff.
As a union member you are helping to build better workplaces and better communities, across Queensland. This work cannot succeed without your support, so thank you. In the 2022/2023 financial year union fees will increase to support our union’s ability to campaign and win better wages and conditions. You can see the schedule of increased fees here. For most members the increase will be 2.5%, in line with the wage increases that members in the public service have won through collective bargaining agreements. Members who are Custodial Corrections Officers pay an insurance levy to fund a group legal insurance policy. This levy has not been increased since 2020. In the 2022 financial year the levy will be increased to reflect the increased cost of the policy and the fact that Custodial Corrections members have won a wage increase including significant back pay. Remember that union fees are 100% tax-deductible. You can go online to find member discounts, benefits and ways you can save money through your union membership. Also in administrative news – our Brisbane union office has officially moved! Our new office address is Level 4, 43 Peel Street, South Brisbane. All other contact details remain unchanged.
I want to thank each and every member for the work they do every day to protect our communities. Prisons play a vital role in protecting the people of Queensland, even if it is not always visible in the community, like other emergency services. This year, members in Correctional Centres have faced riots, overcrowding, increasing numbers of assaults and an ever changing COVID-19 situation, which has added to an already challenging working environment. Together Delegates have been on the front line ensuring that vital Work Health and Safety measures are put in place to keep members safe and that members' voices are heard. The dedication from Delegates in every centre across Queensland is invaluable and every Delegate and member should be congratulated for the work they have done in the challenges of their work environment. Corrections spans across many professions and workgroups, and we cannot forget the work from members in Community Corrections and support officers in Correctional Facilities. Thank you for your commitment to keeping Queenslanders safe! The environment you face is often difficult and the role you play in Community safety is paramount to ensuring appropriate rehabilitation
Last night an 'in principle' Enterprise Bargaining offer was sent to Queensland Corrective Services staff. This is very significant movement from the Department who have indicated they are genuinely eager to finalise the agreement Corrections members. This would not have happened without all of the members who participated in collective action over the past years, like rallies outside 1WS and MPs' offices, meetings at centres, and visiting your local MP to communicate to them what members' real concerns were in QCS. Congratulations Corrections members – your action has meant you now have this much improved offer! Based on preliminary feedback from members, delegates have endorsed the offer in principle, pending drafting and a full ballot of members. Members and delegates have identified a number of key concerns within the offer, which would need to see addressed during drafting. Once this is complete a full ballot of union members will proceed. Congratulations again – Together members have forced this outcome – well done! We will have more information for members about the drafting and ballot process in the weeks to come! Only union members can vote in the ballot - if you want to have a say on your next agreement, join your union. You can join online here.
Collective action works! Well done to all members who attended rallies in Cairns and Brisbane to send a clear message to the government about your wages and conditions! During the rally at 1 William Street, the Minister requested a meeting with a delegation from the rally to talk about the EBA and listen to corrections members' frustrations. This is unprecedented and it's thanks to the staunch action of members - every bit of action works and adds pressure to the cause! The delegation of Gordon Murray (BCC), Stuart Crichton (Woodford) and Adam Neary (Borallon) as well as Assistant Branch Secretary, Michael Thomas and Lead Organiser, Ashleigh Saunders met with the Minister and his staff. While we didn't receive an offer from the Minister, Gordon, Stuart and Adam made it very clear that members are demanding a reasonable and fair offer now! Minister Ryan listened to your delegates and the points were very clear. Minister Ryan is still waiting for financial sign off from Cabinet, so the views put forward this week are vital to influencing the government and ensuring the Minister hears these frustrations first hand. Well done to all involved this week - let's keep the pressure on! Delegates have endorsed a plan for members to speak to their local MP to ensure that the message is heard across the state! Members should get in touch with the union office to assist in organising this! Remember - this win is only because union members came together and collectively spoke out on important issues in their workplace. If you are not yet a Together member - now is the time to join. You can join Together here.
The Queensland government has now mandated that workers at schools, childcare centres, prisons, youth detention centres and airports must now be fully vaccinated by 23 Jan, with the first vaccine dose delivered by 17 Dec. This mandate will cover many Together members in schools, Custodial Correctional Officers, Youth Detention workers, Airport workers and more. It’s important that you ensure you’re up to speed on what this new mandate means for you. Your union is holding zoom meetings for many members affected by the mandate. Check out the details below for information regarding your employer. Schools members On Wednesday 1 December, branch secretary Alex Scott held a zoom for Schools members affected by the vaccine mandate. You can view the zoom below. We know that being vaccinated against COVID-19 is one way to keep us safe, there are also other important considerations about ensuring everyone is safe at work and at school. If you have specific questions you would like raised at the briefings please get in touch with us today at education@together.org.au. You can also contact the union office for support and advice as more details come through about the requirements. We will provide as much information as we can, as quickly as we can. Corrections members Corrections members have also had a zoom briefing this week regarding the mandate. You can view the briefing below. We want to hear from you as Corrections members about whether you support mandatory vaccinations or not. Please complete this very quick survey so we can understand Corrections members' positions on this issue. Youth Detention members The D-G has said in her email to staff The definition of a worker includes Youth Detention Centre employees, contractors, union officials, volunteers, regulators, auditors, teachers, support workers, health workers and couriers. Departmental staff visiting a youth detention centre will be considered a worker in a high risk setting even though they may only occasionally enter the setting as part of their work duties. If you believe the mandate affects you and you have questions or concerns about the directive, please contact your union office on your.union@together.org.au or 1800 177 244 and speak to union staff.
