PSA/CPSU Podcast
153 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago -Audio stories for members of the Public Service Association of NSW.
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Episodes
Why Is There So Much Industrial Unrest In NSW?
June 29, 2022 04:00 - 8 minutes - 5.64 MBThis week saw Rail workers, Nurses and Teachers all exercising industrial action. Coming off the back of the PSA’s own industrial action less than a month ago along with notable disputes that have already occurred against the NSW government - A question that has to be asked - How are we in this position? How is it that so many public sector workers feel mistreated and unfairly dealt with by the NSW government that they are prepared to hold industrial action on a routine basis? To find ou...
The 2022 NSW Budget - The PSA Reacts
June 22, 2022 14:00 - 7 minutes - 4.92 MBHow well did the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service do in this year's budget? We ask former NPWS Senior Ranger, and PSA Organiser, Kim de Govrik for his view on the funding announced this week. We also ask the PSA's Journalist, Jason Mountney, for his initial thoughts about the budget.
"Jobs For Mates" - PSA Responds To John Barilaro's $500,000-A-Year Trade Role
June 21, 2022 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.6 MBIt was revealed this week that former Deputy Premier John Barilaro secured a plum trade role for the NSW government based in New York City. What was more surprising, Mr. Barilaro himself created the role prior to leaving office. Now he's the ideal candidate after a global search. On the podcast, Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright weighs in on the controversy.
PSA On Strike: One Week On
June 16, 2022 04:00 - 8 minutes - 5.62 MBA week after the PSA went on a succesful 24 -hour day of action, we chat to General Secretary Stewart Little about the state of the current fight towards the scrapping of the NSW public sector wages cap.
The NSW Government's Obsession With Privatisation
June 14, 2022 12:00 - 10 minutes - 6.99 MBAt the 2022 PSA Annual Conference, Master of Public Policy Student Peter Harris presented to the delegates evidence of the Perrottet and consecutive coalition governments obsession with the sale of public assets. What you will hear in this episode is the destruction that such an agenda can have for the people of NSW.
PSA On Strike
June 09, 2022 06:00 - 6 minutes - 4.52 MBJune 8th, 2022 marks the day the Public Service Association of NSW went on strike for 24 hours to send a message to the Perrottet Government about its unfair wages policy.
A Labor Government: What The Unions Hope Will Be On The Agenda
May 23, 2022 03:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MBOn the eve of the Federal Election, our guest this Episode is Michelle O'neill, President of the ACTU to discuss with us the importance of the next federal government legislating with an emphasis on the needs and concerns of working Australians.
Election Roundtable
May 18, 2022 00:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBThis coming Saturday, May 21st is election day The entire country will hit the polls and vote for who they believe is best to form the next government. On the podcast today, we have a roundtable discussion about the issues are that are facing voters, looking through a prism of emphasis on the public sector. Our guests are PSA President Nicole Jess, PSA General Secretary Stewart Little, Campaigns and Communications Manager Marianne Ledic, Senior Communications Officer Jason Mountney and Co...
Why The Minimum Wage Needs To Keep Up With Inflation
May 12, 2022 01:00 - 10 minutes - 7.11 MBThe PSA, CPSU NSW believes wages should keep track with inflation in order to remove the risk of our lowest-paid members of society from being destitute when it comes to the cost of living. Recently, Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has adopted this as a policy commitment.
Dr. Catherine Williams: The Fight Against Pork Barrelling
May 10, 2022 06:00 - 9 minutes - 6.58 MBUpon the release of the NSW Report into misuse of grants allocations in the wake of former Premier Gladys Berejiklian's comments that Pork Barrelling was acceptable conduct - On the podcast today, we speak to Dr. Catherine Williams. Dr. Williams is one of the authors of the new book - Keeping Them Honest: The Case for a Genuine National Integrity Commission and Other Vital Democratic Reforms.
ICAC Is Not A Kangaroo Court
May 06, 2022 01:00 - 8 minutes - 6.04 MBIn the wake of continued calls for a federal corruption commission, on the podcast today, we debunk the myth expressed by the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison that ICAC is a kangaroo court.
PSA Revises Wage Claim To 5.2%
May 01, 2022 14:00 - 6 minutes - 4.71 MBGeneral Secretary Stewart Little tells the podcast of a revision in our wage claim to be in line with inflation. Our current request is 5.2%.
Richard Denniss: The Housing Affordability Crisis
April 27, 2022 00:00 - 10 minutes - 7.43 MBOn the podcast today, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute Richard Denniss explains the housing affordability crisis impacting young Australians and the flow-on effects these and other issues cause on society.
Live From Wollongong: The Public Sector Wages Cap
April 22, 2022 13:00 - 5 minutes - 3.86 MBOn the podcast today we talk to members in Wollongong talking about the public sector wages cap and the impact it is having on their ability to earn a living wage above inflation.
Job Insecurity in NSW Schools
April 14, 2022 07:00 - 10 minutes - 7.22 MBOn the podcast today we speak to PSA Organisers Susan Chee Quee and Marisa Bosco about the problem of work insecurity and lack of permanent staff who work in NSW schools and what members can do to address this issue.
Will The Next Federal Government Recognise Unions?
April 12, 2022 00:00 - 9 minutes - 6.31 MBWorkers have been shut out of any negotiations, changes to workplace relations, indeed anything to do with their jobs in the last 10 years of a coalition government. On the podcast today, we speak to CPSU NSW Assistant Branch Secretary Troy Wright about why it's refreshing to hear from one side of politics in the election recognising the role of unions in advocating for workers entitlements.
The Public Sector Needs A Pay Rise
April 06, 2022 06:00 - 5 minutes - 4.11 MBThe Public Sector Needs A Pay Rise - this is the name of the new campaign launched this week by the PSA to lift the wages of public sector employees. On the podcast today we talk to General Secretary Stewart Little about the launch of the campaign, why now is the time to demand action on wages, and the union’s response to the statements made by the premier that rebuke the union's demands.
Chris Smalls: Amazon Labor Union President
April 04, 2022 06:00 - 9 minutes - 6.7 MBLast Friday in New Jersey, Amazon Warehouse Workers in Staten Island voted to form a union. The first Amazon Labor Union in the United States. Their leader and interim President - Chris Smalls - was able to organise employees around issues such as low wages, lack of job security, absence of sufficient air conditioning in the summer, constant monitoring of productivity and short breaks - and he is our special guest on the podcast today.
Dr Angela Jackson from Impact Economics
April 01, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.85 MBWith the release of the federal budget on Tuesday night, it was noticed by many that one key area of concern was missing - wages. On the podcast today, we talk to Angela Jackson from Impact Economics.
Visiting Lismore & The Northern Rivers Region
March 29, 2022 23:00 - 5 minutes - 3.81 MBToday's podcast is brought to you from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, where the PSA Executive is visiting members and staff in the flood-affected area.
Jihad Dib: Shadow Emergency Services and Climate Change Minister On the Lismore Floods
March 24, 2022 02:00 - 10 minutes - 7.27 MBOn the ground in Lismore - gaining a first-hand account of the devastation was our guest on the podcast today - the NSW Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib. Fortuitously, Jihad also holds the state Shadow Climate Change portfolio. In our discussion, we talk about how his two areas have overlapped to produce such a crisis and what we can expect going forward.
The Federal Government Cuts Vital Mental Health Funding
March 23, 2022 00:00 - 5 minutes - 3.72 MBPermanent funding for first responders' mental health is needed now - it is a vital mental health service for first responders. However, the Black Dog Institute’s Traumatic Stress Clinic funding hasn’t been renewed by the Federal Government, meaning the vital mental health support for first responders to bushfires, floods and other natural disasters will end on June 30. The NSW Government should step in if the Commonwealth won’t, says the Public Service Association General Secretary Stew...
Addressing The Housing Crisis
March 16, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.69 MBThe catastrophes of the 2019-2020 bushfires and the floods of northern New South Wales have amalgamated into one of the most urgent crises facing New South Wales and Australia in recent times. That is the great housing crisis. As thousands of homes remain unliveable across New South Wales, on the podcast today we hear from Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness - Rose Jackson MLC about what exactly the government is doing, or not doing to address this urgent issue.
Emergency Relief Fund
March 11, 2022 04:00 - 4 minutes - 3.08 MBOn the podcast today, we find out why the PSA's Executive decided to create a permanent Emergency Relief Fund for members.
PSA Women's Officer Jodie Haydon: International Women's Day 2022
March 07, 2022 06:00 - 5 minutes - 4.02 MBOn the podcast today we speak to the PSA’s New Women’s Officer Jodie Haydon about why the themes of Safety, Respect and Equity are important and what the future brings for Women in the Public Service and the Federal system. We also use this as an opportunity to introduce Jodie to our broader union movement and, as you will hear, she has an open-door policy when it comes to hearing the issues of the women of our union.
Greg Jericho: The Cost of Living
March 02, 2022 13:00 - 8 minutes - 6.22 MBYour wages are under attack, your ability to purchase household basics along with luxury items whilst maintaining a comfortable buffer for your hip pocket is shrinking by the day. What is the government doing about it? Not a whole lot - that’s according to our guest Greg Jericho - Columnist with The Guardian Australia and Policy Director for the Centre for Future Work.
Flood Crisis: Northern NSW Experiencing Heavy Deluge
February 28, 2022 04:00 - 4 minutes - 3.14 MBAn unmitigated disaster is occurring in Northern NSW with some parts of the state, including the town of Lismore experiencing the worst flooding ever.
The Unfair 2.5% Wage Cap
February 23, 2022 23:00 - 6 minutes - 4.34 MBOn the podcast, we discuss the changes that must be made to the government's 2.5% wage cap in light of the increases in inflation.
Workers Compensation: The Covid Cuts The Government Is Pushing
February 21, 2022 23:00 - 4 minutes - 2.96 MBUnder the cover of darkness, the NSW Government made amendments to workers' compensation that put the onus on the workers to prove they contracted the disease at work in order to be eligible for compensation.
Koalas Officially Endangered
February 16, 2022 12:00 - 10 minutes - 6.96 MBKoalas have been officially listed as an endangered species for NSW, Queensland, and the ACT. So what went wrong? How does Matt Kean, a former environment minister, known as a champion in the field of wildlife preservation - allow this to occur on his watch? We talk to 40-year National Parks and Wildlife veteran Kim DeGovrik to hear what has happened to Australia's favourite native marsupial.
Dr Michael Holland: Member-Elect for Bega
February 15, 2022 01:00 - 5 minutes - 3.65 MBOn the podcast today, we speak with the newly elected Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland on what were the circumstances that led the electorate to change hands for the first time since the inception of the seat.
Renewed Calls For A Federal ICAC
February 14, 2022 02:00 - 4 minutes - 3.33 MBAs evidenced by the Bill being shelved, there has been significant Federal reluctance for a National Integrity Commission. On this episode, we speak to Barrister Stephen Lawrence on the importance of ICAC at a state level and why the hesitance given by Prime Minister Scott Morrison towards a national model is unfounded.
No Consultation: Public Service Back To The CBD
February 07, 2022 11:00 - 4 minutes - 3.37 MBThe Premier, Dominic Perrottet is holding a CBD summit this week to kick start the local economy. Part of the incentives to businesses is a return of the Public Service to the CBD. While this may be an ethos the union does agree with - it is a decision that was made with no consultation with the peak body representing some 38,000 Public Service workers in NSW.
Minister Attends Cricket: Misses Aged Care Inquiry
February 03, 2022 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.91 MBFederal Minister for Aged Care, Richard Colbeck admitted this week that he skipped a senate inquiry into covid-19 in the aged care sector in favour of the Ashes in Hobart. Since the privatisation of services to the vulnerable in NSW such as homecare and disabilities, we reflect on the impact government negligence has on the vulnerable and what the solutions are to fixing these sectors.
Cost of Living Pressure: Scott Morrison Stumped On Simple Question
February 02, 2022 04:00 - 5 minutes - 3.95 MBThis week Prime Minister Scott Morrison was stumped on a question presented to him by Sky News Political Reporter Andrew Clennell. Mr. Morrison was unable to give an answer to the costs of a loaf of bread, litre of petrol, and a rapid antigen test. On the podcast, we ask why our political leaders are not across the increase in costs of living pressures we face each and every day.
Return To School: PSA Members Face Challenging Year Ahead
January 28, 2022 07:00 - 8 minutes - 5.87 MBWelcome back to the PSA Podcast for 2022! The NSW Department of Education has put in place a series of safety measures to help curb the impact of the Omicron variant. In addition, 2022 holds a number of challenges for our members in schools including permanency and rights and conditions.
Final Podcast for 2021
December 21, 2021 01:00 - 3 minutes - 2.3 MBOn this episode, we hear from the executive of the PSA, CPSU NSW who gives seasons greetings to all the champions who kept the state running during a time of crisis. The podcast will return in January 2022.
465,000 Free TAFE courses Proposed - CPSU NSW Responds
December 09, 2021 23:00 - 8 minutes - 6.21 MBFederal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese announced Federal Labor’s plan, should it win government to fund 465,000 TAFE course places. A shot in the arm for a system of education that has been brutalised by years of job cuts, outsourcing and campus sell-offs. However, there are still some concerns regarding resourcing.
PSA Win! Police Radio Jobs Stay in Penrith.
December 02, 2021 03:00 - 6 minutes - 4.31 MBThis week, the podcast looks at the successful media and social media campaign which, at short notice, led to a ministerial backflip and saved over 70 police radio jobs from moving to the Sydney CBD after being based out at Penrith.
New National Parks Need Adequate Staffing
November 25, 2021 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.62 MBThis week, PSA General Secretary Stewart Little and NPWS 40 year veteran and Organiser Kim DeGovrik toured far western NSW to inspect the recent land acquisitions of the NSW government for National Parks. In addition, the PSA addresses the need for additional resourcing including jobs for these massive land purchases.
Victims Services: The Champions Who Serve NSW's Vulnerable
November 19, 2021 01:00 - 10 minutes - 7.2 MBOn the podcast this week we speak to PSA Delegate Nathan Rodriguez who works in Victim Services. His work and the work of his colleagues in service of the people of NSW saves lives.
iCare Pays Back $38 million to 53,000 Injured Workers - PSA Responds
November 11, 2021 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.62 MBPSA General Secretary Stewart Little responds to the news that the state insurer icare will pay $38 million to 53,000 largely underpaid injured workers affected by miscalculation errors.
Service NSW: Employees Asked To Go Above And Beyond
November 04, 2021 11:00 - 7 minutes - 5.28 MBDuring the recent NSW Lockdown, workers at Service NSW were asked to go above and beyond their normal tasks to keep the state running. This included distributing small business grants and being on top of newly developed technology on smartphone apps. It was and is a stressful time for these Champions. On the podcast this week we hear about these scenarios from Delegate Susan Townsend.
Issues At Work? Here's A Better Answer
October 29, 2021 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.73 MBGot a minute is the employment advice column from the Sydney Morning Herald. Each week executive coach and public speaker Dr Kirstin Ferguson answers readers questions about workplace issues and gives advice on how best to solve them. On October 27th, the Communications Team at the PSA noticed someone from a government agency had written into the column seeking advice on a workplace matter that related to unfair treatment from their employer. The advice given by Dr Ferguson goes against ...
WHS and Health Orders That Workers Face in Universities
October 21, 2021 23:00 - 10 minutes - 7.2 MBOn the podcast this week, we hear from Manager of Industrial Support Shay Deguara and Manager of Legal Services Alison McRobert about the WHS assessments along with the health orders that are in place to stop the spread of Covid 19 in universities.
Stewart Little: The Return To Work
October 19, 2021 03:00 - 7 minutes - 5.03 MBThe community turned to the public sector for stability and reassurance and it's important that our members are acknowledged for the great work they've done.
Lockdown Ends: What are you looking forward to?
October 10, 2021 23:00 - 7 minutes - 5.34 MBWith Lockdown restrictions being removed more and more over the coming months. We highlight mental health month by asking some staff what they are most looking forward to post-lockdown.
The Premier Resigns
October 01, 2021 07:00 - 14 minutes - 10.4 MBA special podcast discussion on today's news of the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian as Premier of NSW.
The Increased Pressures On Service NSW
September 23, 2021 00:00 - 11 minutes - 7.73 MBThe pandemic has highlighted a lot of administrative demands placed on government sectors, none more so than for those who work in Service NSW. On this episode, we chat to Industrial Officer Simon Van Vegchel about the pressures placed on our members and their colleagues in this essential government sector.
A Crisis In Universities
September 17, 2021 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.85 MBThis past week the CPSU NSW held an online forum with over 100 workers in the university sector and special guest, Shadow Minister for Education Tanya Plibersek. On the podcast this week, we hear from Ms. Plibersek on her concerns for the crisis that has been exacerbated by the pandemic and what measures a change of government would bring to address the situation.