depaNews archive 2001-11

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depaNews Archive 2001-2011

Issue 37 - January 2012	BPB kills off our endless summer by coming to a town near you BPB roadshow starts next month When is an offensive word, not an offensive word? depa Union Picnic Day golf day on again
Issue 36 - December 2011	Destination 2036: Government turns a blind eye to local government reform Panel goes gaga trying to separate the hopeless and the nasty judging the 2011 Worst HR Award But wait, there is a happy note from Taree
Issue 35 - November 2011	John Skene recruits our 1300th member It's now okay to call someone petite at Canterbury but be careful who you call a **, a *** or particularly a *** ** The chickens come home to roost at Blayney Gosford apologises for their conga line of incompetents LGS continues to lead the way on its sustainable property portfolio
Issue 34 - September 2011	Canterbury says "wash your mouth out with soap" Taree unbackable favourites to win 2011 Worst HR in Local Government Award Hold Destination 2036 - we offer a great innovation to Taree and Great Lakes And now for something far, far less ridiculous
Issue 33 - August 2011	Destination 2036 demands local government reform over the next four years Government announces review of the EP&A Act Consultation on the Public Health Act Regulations BPB plans to nail the new and aspiring council-accredited employees in 2013 Changes made to the Local Government (State) Award Some light relief at Gosford?
Issue 32 - July 2011	Bans lifted at Blayney and DLG watches councillors behaving badly depa's submission to the DLG review of the Model Code of Conduct "Well, he's hopeless isn't he? You might as well ask the cat." Canterbury GM presents depa cup
Issue 31 - May 2011	Members at Wagga Wagga vindicated as minister rejects calls for a planning administrator Members put ban on services to Deputy Mayor at Blayney FBT changes in Federal Budget will affect council cars Is this the right room for an argument? Here we go again at Taree
Issue 30 - April 2011	Pizza man says "I wouldn't bother answering..." (Hurstville) Some progress in Drug and Alcohol dispute (Upper Hunter) Local Government Super wins SuperRatings Infinity Award What will life be like in the new New South Wales?
Issue 29 - March 2011	Upper Hunter gets coy about their ineffective testing regime Freeloaders get a free lunch too at Hurtsville The BPB would like us to nominate someone for their TRG Canterbury wins 2011 depa Cup
Issue 28 - February 2011	Upper Hunter lets the dogs out (random drug testing) Div of LG wakes up to tell us not to worry BPB reviews conflict-of-interest provisions for council accredited certifiers
Issue 27 - January 2011	Peter Hurst could be coming to a town near you! Wagga Wagga dispute returns... LGS wins Sustainable Super Fund of the year
Issue 26 - December 2010	Wagga Wagga dispute ends at last The Daily Advertiser gets a kicking from the Press Council Bankstown's denial of family friendly work dispute finally settled The year is over and we're all having a break and Bankstown wins "Worst HR in Local Government Award" again
Issue 25 - November 2010	Get a bonus under the new Award Peter Hurst says he will apologise The Daily Advertiser protects the guilty Bernie avoids jail but it's time to go Phillip (private certifiers) No fee increase in 2011 and a big hint about our HR ugliness awards next issue...
Issue 24 - October 2010	An offer we can't refuse - new Local Govt (State) award Ten good reasons to accept the offer
Issue 23 - September 2010	Commission recommends LGSA agree to our claim on accrediation
Issue 22 - August 2010	At last, some proper recognition of a Council's duty of care when employees reputations are attacked Who is Peter Hurst and why is he so unkind? (Wagga Wagga) Members on strike at Taree We stop Parramatta Council charging employees for bringing their leaseback cars to work! BPB rethinks legislative problems and conflict of interest We ask the Division of Local Government to do something!
Issue 21 - July 2010	But first... Special report from a meeting with the BPB Progress with accrediting council staff Conflict of interest issues Transitional provisions Fines under the BPB Act 2005 The issue of discipline generally Woo hoo, look at LGS returns
Issue 20 - June 2010	We have rewarding meeting with BPB NSW government does the right thing on GIPA Progress in State Award negotiations Hackers win depa Cup. And the Mayor presents the Cup We are involved in how many disputes? And is there anyone we would like to have a dispute with?
Issue 19 - May 2010	We might not like it, but get accredited now LGS kills off any merger with EIS Consultation on Public Health Bill lumbers on
Issue 18 - April 2010	BPB confirms no Council staff will be fined and it looks like council will get the levels of accrediation they ask for... NSW Health starts to get their act together on Public Health Bill consultation State Electoral Office declares new officials and a new Committee of Management Award discussions take off Bullying, bastardry and belligerence at Bankstown (and that's only the B words) TAFE needs Causal Trainers/Assessors for the Diploma Local Government (Environmental Health and Building) Does it get any better than playing golf on a perfect day, celebrating Union Picnic Day, at the depa Golf Day at Blackheath? Apology to Beverley Giegerl and Richard Powis
Issue 17 - March 2010	BPB folly to accredit council employees to start today! There's a new Public Health Bill - and it's been a well-kept secret And the Attorney General's Department is not doing a bad job of not telling people what is going on either At last, some movement on the 2010 Local Government (State) Award negotiations 2010 Log of Claims Local Government (State) Award - Part 1 USU firms up its opposition to any merger of EIS and LGS - but do we smell a rat?
Issue 15 - February 2010	Local Govt (State) Award discussions to start in March BPB Version 3 consultation about to close A reminder about access to industrial tribunals for senior staff No developments (as far as we can tell) on secret superannuation merger plans depa Golf Day on again this year - and not just for golfers Introducing Ben Douglas Robertson
Issue 13 - December 2009	BPB releases post version 3 documents UWS responds to complaints about killing off the Environmental Science Course 83 Councils dispute concluded - except for Liverpool Will Local Government Super survive in 2010? Councillors behaving badly Management excellence awards arising from the superannuation dispute held over 2010
Issue 12 - November 27 2009	No fee increase in 2010 Help you with recruitment BPB still working at avoiding creating the monster What's UWS doing with the environmental health course? Superannuation dispute almost resolved Best practice NSW Industrial Relations Commission to continue for local government employees Councillors behaving badly at Parramatta 2010 Award discussions to start early next year
Issue 11 - October 6 2009	Understanding the monster (and some bad news for EHOs) BPB accreditation of council staff UWS looks at dumping Environment and Health degree program next year
Issue 10 - October 2009	Accreditation proposals look impossible - but BPB commits not to create a monster Can your Council continue to do what it is doing now, with its existing staff, under these guidelines?
Issue 9 - September 2009	Parramatta Councillors discover there is a new Local Government Act Only the really unpleasant councils left in super/TRP dispute Accreditation of council staff: is no news, good news? depa, the LGSA and the USU have met to try to develop a common approach to drug and alcohol policies
Issue 8 - July 2009	Shock horror: BPB kills off B1 and B2 Two vacancies on the Committee of Management close on Friday 31 July Commission endorses depa’s super/trp campaign that Council should pay the increased compulsory employer contribution - and now more than 100 councils are paying Which is the worst council? Pittwater struggles to get it right and depa fixes a problem for everyone 2009 Health and Building Surveyors Conference Reunion
Issue 7 - June 2009	Commission puts brakes on the Belligerent Seven
Issue 6 - May 2009	Dispute Filed with 83 Councils
Issue 5 - April 2009	Today is the International Day of Mourning Members at Taree show how to do it Food Authority gives the BPB a lesson in consultation Careful what you say on Facebook (or even Twitter) Superannuation and members on contracts or TRPs LGSS attacked over the increase employer contribution
Issue 4 - March 2009	LGSS increases "compulsory employer contributions" by 240% An explanation of the two types of schemes Who works out how much employers pay? Wasn't the fund in surplus for years? What's happened to the surplus? Everyone goes gaga How will this affect employees? Does this mean hard financial times ahead for councils? Update on drug and alcohol policies Bankstown wins depa/LGSS Golf Day again! Is it time to review gradings of positions at your council? Got any councillors behaving badly?
Issue 3 - February 2009	But we met with them nevertheless (BPB) Sue and Neil aren't the only ones to keep the guild hostility alive Urgent survey: Any unqualified people out there? BPB CEO Neil Cocks replies And in March, time for something different
Issue 2 - January 2009	President Sue Holliday sets the trap Looks like trouble to us Local Government asks for its own consultation The trap is sprung Shame, Sue, Shame Who does the AIBS represent now? What should councils and council staff do now?
Issue 1 - December 2008	Our primary task in 2009 What, no fee rise in 2009? Welcome to Jim Boyce and welcome back to Andrew Spooner We are closing on Tuesday and wish you the best for Christmas and the New Year
Special Bulletin: Accreditation of council employees	The BPB wants to survey "council building certification officers" First things first - don't respond to the survey Why would you accredit council officers? Why do we oppose accreditation of council staff? Some useful links Some unanswered questions about accreditation of council staff Please attend the State-wide BPB workshops And why not wear one of our campaign t-shirts.
Issue 39 - November 2008	But what does the BPB really need? Forget Etheridge, Red Hot Rees gives WorkChoices a shellacking? Another fool rushes in - and this time it's a General Manager LGSS terminates contribution holiday DLG and Department of Water and Energy wreak havoc with plumbing inspections A good time to have your money under the bed
Issue 38 - September 2008	Etheridge and protection from Federal industrial laws Meanwhile, the fools are rushing in... What does the Building Professionals Amendment Act 2008 mean for councils and council staff? Having a bad day? Things could be worse: you could be Michael Costa or Morris Iemma
Issue 37 - August 2008	Federal Court rejects WorkChoices "Fools rush in" competition
Issue 36 - June 2008	Bad things always happen in the middle of the night (EP&A) NSW Food Authority gets it right! A new Code of Conduct will affect Council staff Lake Macquarie decides not to proceed with random drug and alcohol testing Some good advice in a bad year for superannuation returns
Issue 35 - April 2008	The lunatics have taken over the asylum (BP amendment bill) The fantasy of a level playing field Government proposes accreditation of Council “certifiers” in 2004. And now they do it again in 2008 What does the 2008 Exposure Draft Bill do? And there is an exposure draft Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2008 too! We make Hornsby rethink its obsession about random drug and alcohol testing Lithgow triumphs at depa Golf Day
Issue 34 - March 2008	FOI application flushes out hoax of "public consultation" And the winner is...Part I And the winner is...Part II Hornsby gets gung ho on random drug and alcohol testing
Issue 33 - February 2008	Sex Lies and development (ICAC) depa fesses up on our dinner with Frank Some great responses in our "Let me be Frank with you" competition Another great competition for March Committee resolves policy of opposing random drug and alcohol testing Committee of Management elections Sydney Council rediscovers 19 day month
Issue 32 - January 2008	A competition for everyone (and not just members) to put a smile on faces in 2008 Minister’s office rejects depa’s application under FOI and we file an appeal At a time of stock-market crises, here is some good news about LGSS Good News 1: LGSS nominated as Sustainable Super Fund of the Year Good News 2: Knocking Co 2 off the old office block Good News 3: If you’re interested in sustainability… depa Golf Day 2008: Will Bankstown retain the depa Cup?
Issue 31 - December 2007	Howard reproduces 1929 disgrace What does the change of government mean for WorkChoices and NSW local government? Oh no, more stupid proposals on planning reform and we file an FOI application to see the draft bill Oh no, the Department of Local Government stuffs up changes to senior staff contracts (again!) Interested in that the Diploma of Local Government (Health and Building Assessment)? Season’s greetings and a happy New Year
Issue 30 - November 2007	Not everyone's cup of tea but Work Choices is here to stay Small business of the year, cripes, how do they keep doing this?
Issue 29 - October 2007	Love him or loathe him (2007 Federal election) And what about the Local Government (State) Award? Membership Update
Issue 28 - September 2007	"In principle" agreement reached on the new Local Government (State) Award Not a cardigan to be seen Workchoices just keeps looking worse Random Drug and Alcohol Testing at work.
Issue 27 - August 2007	New depths plumbed in unsophisticated debate on industrial relations policy Getting a pay increase in November. Eight frequently asked questions Some councils want non-union members on Consultative Committees - and we don't
Issue 26 - July 2007	Part 3A fiasco imminent Independent assessment fiasco next? Private Certifiers fiasco continues Food Authority creates Newcastle fiasco No fairness in Fairfield fiasco
Issue 25 - May/June 2007	Everyone now agrees, WorkChoices stinks What's happening with Referral Agreements? And now for something completely different … Something old, something blue … Jody is going on holidays
Issue 24 - March 2007	NSW elections - but BIG differences on industrial relations Award discussions get under way Bankstown wins depa cup Going, going, gone. Woods stands down as Chair of LGSS Have you sent your Tax File Number to the LGSS
Issue 23 - Feb 2007	Nothing clear about councils and WorkChoices FAQ about WorkChoices It's time to Go Peter, Part III depa Golf Day
Issue 22 - Dec 2006	It's time to go Peter, Part II Who gets the AFPC increase Councils continue to sign Referral Agreements What to do if your local irritating HR Manager offers you an AWA What, no fee increases in 2007? Have a fabulous break BONUS: How Not to Get Sacked
Issue 21 - Nov 2006	40,000 March in Sydney High Court decides WorkChoices is constitutional Do we get the Fair Pay Commission pay increase? What would be the smart thing for councils to do now? When will we know if we get the $22.30?
Issue 20 - September 2006	More and more councils sign Referral Agreements Beware the Internal Ombudsman Cars,cars and more cars. Arguments about cars, that is BPB crashes into Burwood All disputes settled at Bankstown! It's time to go, Peter Who cares about Garrett v Freeman We welcome two organisations rising from the ashes... Whoops, we thought that Food Authority had it all under control "An Inconvenient Truth"
Issue 19 - July 2006	Senior Staff Contracts Cars Superannuation Returns
Issue 18 - May 2006	We make Cooma-Monaro apologise to members Avoiding WorkChoices Canterbury does the right thing (at last) to protect their staff .Canterbury introduces smoke-free workplace .What can be done about the shortage of planners? A new Committee of Management for 2005/2006 2006 recruitment campaign announced .Private certifiers give us all a good laugh!
Issue 17 - March 2006	WorkChoices starts on Monday 27 March Can NSW Govt save us from WorkChoices What is the BPB up to with council statistics depa Golf Day
Issue 15 - December 2005	BPB and Councils Bankstown - 13 prosecutions for Award breaches What should a council do when an employee is assaulted A new competition No fee increase in union fees in 2006
Issue 14 - November 2005	What happens to the Award under WorkChoices? Clauses at risk in the Local Government (State) Award
Issue 13 - October 2005	What WorkChoices could really mean for you
Issue 12 - August 2005	Member's action wins an apology from Nambucca Some new ministers and good riddance to Craig Costa to axe Building Professionals' Board Recruit our 1400th member and get $500 What does Section 353 of the Local Government Act mean?
Issue 11 - June 2005	Howard Government attacks you at work We win fight for family-friendly work at Bankstown Win in an appointment dispute at Canterbury North Sydney team thrashes everyone at depa golf day
Issue 10 - March 2005	Pushing out boundaries and protecting ourselves Play nicely kids or else BPB considers accrediting councils Federal Government attacks Unions
Issue 9 - December 2004	Restrictions on term contracts Gosford Triumph Changes to our legal service Delegate training
Issue 8 - September 2004	DIPNR under pressure Have you seen our submission We make another helpful suggestion to the BPB! depa proposes amendments to Local Government Act
Issue 7 - July 2004	The idea the customer is always right is wrong Gosford heroes on strike for more staff Award gets closer to settlement Who does the AIBS think they are speaking for?
Issue 6 - April 2004	Two fresh faces on committee of management We lodge 2004 Log of Claims with LGSA Minister loses her favorite town! Are you working at a "toxic" Council?
Issue 5 - February 2004	Expanded complying development - what lies ahead? Committee of Management election in 2004 2004 Award discussions to start soon Development in contracts campaign
Issue 4 - November 2003	Task force wants lunatics in charge of asylum IRC Nails Marrickville DIPNA nor Dept of Commerce want to accredit certifiers no fee rise for 2004
Issue 3 - September 2003	We challenge the legality of term contracts What does the ICAC think about term employment? Crashing through or crashing on planning reform? Amalgamation pressures continue On a lighter note, anyone for golf? What to do about boofhead councillors?
Issue 2 - July 2003	Council Amalgamations Regulate or not regulate senior staff? Craig Knowles is back.. Term Contracts Complaints about private certifiers Anyone interested in food survellance? Hello Emma!
Issue 1 - May 2003	We are depa and here is another chance to win $500 Marrickville pleads guilty A strategic alliance with the Planning Institute of Australia Historic salary dispute is finished Lessons for everyone from the Sydney boundary changes An attitude to inter-union committees Goodbye Moira, Hello Carol
Issue 138 - Feb 2003	Everyone loves depa! And the winner is... Committee of management co-opts Graham Gardiner Marrickville heroes launch industrial campaign Another warning about email and internet policies Been temporary for long? LGSS resolves to not appeal supreme court decision
Issue 137 - Dec 2002	No fee rise for 2003! More protection in term contacts result from Gosford dispute. We can make Fairfield provide salary sacrifice at no cost Reasonable working hours and RDO's. What's in a name? A choice for members LGSS in Supreme Court Now is a good time to complain about private certifiers Fair Trading to do something about shonky builders Happy Xmas and New Year
Issue 136 - Oct 2002	New gradings and 10 more cars at Wollongong set a new standard. We've advertised by can't get anyone.." We still hate term contracts and we're doing something about it. Only union members get Picnic Day Anyone working unreasonable hours? Think you might be redundant? $500 still available! Putting superannuation returns into perspective
Issue 135 - July 2002	We make Warringah introduce salary sacrificing for cars. "What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet..." Council certifiers to be accredited LGSS has a day in the Supreme Court Freeloaders to be hit with service fees? Freeloaders to miss out on Union Picnic Day? Ehabsa and the AIBS But he also said this about council certifiers..
Issue 134 - May 2002	Shock news: Government sets up inquiry into private certification! The AIBS says you all want to be accredited, can this be true? LGSS about to have it's day in court Election results declared We love planners
Issue 133 - March 2002	Private cars under threat Restructuring and the spilling of positions Term contract successfully opposed at Quanbeyan All office holders and COM positions up for grabs! Pay your fees annually? Salary sacrifice available from 1 April Private certification hits the fan
Issue 132 - Nov 2001	New Award made on 1 November Having problems with salary packaging? Triumph at Eurobodalla on the nine-day fortnight Fees for 2002. We'd love to reduce the fees and you can help! What's happening about the LGSS surplus? People who make our lives difficult.

depaNews Archive 2001-2011

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