February 1999 Volume 80 Number 2 "serving the protectors"
Industrial Front
By Mark Carroll

Rosters

The 1998 enterprise agreement includes as Attachment Four, Guidelines for Flexible Rostering. Some local service areas, via the workplace consultative committees, are developing alternate rosters. It is important that, through the consultative stage, all members within the work area are kept informed and are made aware of the proposals as they are put forward. As has been found in other areas, the proposals will change and be modified once a new roster begins and deficiencies are identified. The roster must comply with the Police Officers Award, and many examples of rosters are readily available from SAPOL. The employer does have a prerogative to change rosters, however, any rostering change must be developed at the local level in consultation with the employees who will work the roster.

The Police Act 1998

This Act is not yet in operation. It will come into effect after the regulations are tabled in Parliament and signed by the Governor. After this process, they will become subordinate legislation. PASA have been promised a copy of the regulations prior to being tabled in parliament. At the time of writing (12.01.99) PASA has not yet received a copy. Upon receipt we will make any appropriate submissions to government.

Special Traffic Operations

Members have complained to PASA that the shift changes required to accommodate special traffic operations are becoming an increasing burden to them. The use of the Police Officer's Award to accommodate these shift changes combined with compulsory overtime at the end of shift is causing members angst. PASA has written to SAPOL on this issue in an effort to determine how often these operations occur in a year and the shift changes that have been required of members, especially on rostered days off. After PASA has received the information, it will be in a position to determine the extent of the problem in an effort to satisfy members' concerns. I invite members to contact me directly if they wish to discuss this issue.

Know Your Award - RDOs

Clause 10 (g) states that each employee is entitled to take four rest days off duty during each fourteen-day pay period. These days shall be taken in not more than two periods. However, if the RDOs are to be taken in more than two periods, it must be by agreement between SAPOL and the employee. Should an employee be required to work on one or all of his or her rest days, the time so worked is not deferred but shall count as overtime unless alternative rest days can be granted during the same fourteen-day period.