Corrective Services in Focus: A Landmark Pay Deal at Clarence and the Fight for Long Bay

PSA CPSU NSW Podcast

This week, the PSA CPSU NSW Podcast puts a spotlight on the large and important membership within Corrective Services.

Host Troy Wright first speaks with Senior Industrial Officer Thane Pearce about the recent enterprise bargaining at the privately-run Clarence Correctional Centre, operated by the multinational company Serco. They discuss the challenges of negotiating under the federal Fair Work jurisdiction, the push to close pay gap between private and public sector officers, and how members overwhelmingly rejected an initial "lowball" offer from the company. The segment details how the union secured a new, significantly improved three-year deal that provides a 12% pay increase, retention bonuses, and improved overtime conditions, which is now awaiting approval from the Fair Work Commission.

Later in the episode, Troy is joined by Darren King, chairperson of the Prison Officer's Vocational Branch, to discuss the recent political announcement proposing the closure and sale of Long Bay Correctional Centre to address the housing crisis. They break down the significant impact this would have and they also highlight the jail's unique and vital role in the state's correctional system, running specialised programs for violent, aged, and frail offenders.

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