1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: Now all eyes indeed on those petrol prices. But we 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:06,520 Speaker 1: know that correctional offices in the Northern Territory, well, they've 3 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: called off the planned strike action that were set to 4 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:12,960 Speaker 1: go ahead today following a tragic death in custody on Friday. 5 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:17,319 Speaker 1: The Corrections Commissioner had earlier warned that the walkout could 6 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 1: pose serious safety and operational risks, but the United Workers 7 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:24,240 Speaker 1: Union sees that now is a time for compassion and support, 8 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: not industrial action. Now joining us on the line is 9 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory Secretary of the United Workers Union, Erina Early. 10 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:36,440 Speaker 1: Good morning, Erina, Morning, Katie. Now, Erina, the strike action 11 00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: it was due to happen today, Can you talk us 12 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 1: through why that decision was made to pull it at 13 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 1: the last minute. 14 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:47,640 Speaker 2: So, as you would have known, Katie, is Corrections and 15 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 2: OCP putting an applications for the Fair Work Commission yesterday 16 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 2: to ce SAR action. So no hearing was heard. Just 17 00:00:56,840 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 2: in discussions with Corrections yesterday and also too with some 18 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 2: of our officers. A lot of them are still actually 19 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 2: traumatized about the death in custody on Friday, so we 20 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 2: actually thought, well, it's probably not a good time. The 21 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:18,560 Speaker 2: timing are bad to actually have this walk off for 22 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:22,039 Speaker 2: that long so on behalf of our members also with 23 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:25,320 Speaker 2: the family. A lot of our officers know the prisoner's family. 24 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 2: They just said, no, let's see the action and we 25 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:32,319 Speaker 2: can do it later on. It was just a bad time. 26 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 2: It is a time for reflection and to pay our 27 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 2: respects to the family. 28 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, look, I think that's fair enough. I guess on 29 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:43,960 Speaker 1: Monday though, last time we'd spoken, it was still forging 30 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 1: ahead despite that tragic death on Friday. So what sort 31 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: of changed between Monday and yesterday? Was it that fair 32 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: work hearing as well? 33 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 2: Not really, Katie. We got feedback from our members and 34 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 2: they were concerned that that there's a lot of officers 35 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 2: felt it wasn't a good time to actually go out 36 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:09,360 Speaker 2: and take the industrial action because they needed that opportunity 37 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 2: to grieve also too. There were concerns that some of 38 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 2: the prisoners as well were grieving as well, and it 39 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 2: could actually put it could put the security and safety 40 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:23,799 Speaker 2: of the prison in jeopardy if the officers walked out. 41 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 2: It was really bad timing. 42 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, I guess I'm just trying to wrap my head 43 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:31,079 Speaker 1: around and probably our listeners are as well, you know, 44 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:36,600 Speaker 1: like how those safety concerns have now sort of come 45 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:41,720 Speaker 1: up after that tragic death on Friday, and why they 46 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:43,360 Speaker 1: weren't considered prior. 47 00:02:44,919 --> 00:02:47,919 Speaker 2: Well, we did consider him, Katie, we were talking over 48 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:51,360 Speaker 2: the weekend, etc. But I think our last point was 49 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 2: yesterday morning. Is having no further discussions with our officers, 50 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 2: not just our delegates, for actual majority of our officers 51 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:05,920 Speaker 2: really felt it was just for timing and they actually 52 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 2: needed time to deal with the tragedy. 53 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:11,360 Speaker 1: All right, So not going ahead today, but by the 54 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,799 Speaker 1: sounds of it, there is still going to be strike 55 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 1: action at some point soon. 56 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 2: Yes, that's correct. 57 00:03:17,639 --> 00:03:20,919 Speaker 1: Any idea when No, we don't know yet. 58 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 2: So we've got currently we've got internal actions that are 59 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:29,040 Speaker 2: happening within the prison which people the public wouldn't see. 60 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:32,560 Speaker 2: But yeah, we're taking our options. We're having a look. 61 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 2: We're going to have some meetings next week with members 62 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 2: to determine when the next action will be. 63 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 1: All right, So we did speak to the Corrections Commissioner yesterday. 64 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 1: I know that you'd certainly made it clear to us 65 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 1: on Monday that your concerns and the reason that members 66 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: are wanting to take industrial action down the track now 67 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: or over the coming days or weeks is around safety. 68 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 1: The Corrections Commissioner disputed that yesterday he said that over 69 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 1: time line last year had cost twenty two million dollars Erina. 70 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: If it's a safety issue, why don't the members just 71 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 1: agree to that three percent pay increase. 72 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 2: Well, the thing is, as I mentioned a Katie the 73 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 2: other day on your show, it comes down to a 74 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 2: safety clause we've got in the Enterprise Agreement, where the 75 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:24,760 Speaker 2: Commissioner has publicly said that he felt that that clause 76 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 2: is restrictive. The clause isn't actually restrictive of all, because 77 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 2: the Commissioner Valley has the veto powers in regards to 78 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 2: safe staffing. It's about the Union and Corrections working together 79 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 2: to ensure this safe staffing. What they're trying to do 80 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 2: in this current Enterprise Agreement proposal, they're removing that agreement 81 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:48,400 Speaker 2: where the party's work together is the commissioner makes a 82 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 2: decision about the safety of their officers, and our officers 83 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 2: have no faith in the Commissioner or his executive to 84 00:04:56,360 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 2: actually provide safe staffing because at the moment we're twenty 85 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 2: two officers assaulted since the beginning of this year. 86 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 1: Is it just the union trying to strong arm the Commissioner. 87 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:14,480 Speaker 2: No, absolutely not so Okatie. As you know, the union 88 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 2: are our officers, so I am instructed by our officers. 89 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 2: They the morale is so low at the moment, they've 90 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 2: got a toxic workplace. This Enterprise agreement hasn't helped because 91 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:28,799 Speaker 2: the Commissioner has come out and attacked their safe staffing 92 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 2: model clause from day one. They haven't been listening to this. 93 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:37,359 Speaker 2: Current government ran a law and order campaign and they've 94 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 2: always stuck to their law and order campaign. Corrections are 95 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 2: part of law and order and they've been completely been ignored. 96 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 2: Thirty three percent increase of prisoners come in, that's a 97 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 2: thirty three percent increase of their workload. There's still short staffed. 98 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 2: Numbers are increasing. We've got twenty six percent increase of 99 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 2: officers being assaulted. They feel that they've really been disrespected 100 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 2: and this government and Commissioner Vali are not respecting the 101 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 2: risk they have to are exposed to every day. 102 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 1: So is this a trust issue with the Commissioner. I mean, 103 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: you know, we know that the number of guards has increased, 104 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:16,039 Speaker 1: but as you've rightly pointed out there, the number of 105 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:19,560 Speaker 1: prisoners has increased as well. But they also, you know, 106 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 1: they've bought in that private service as well. 107 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 2: G four S. 108 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:25,200 Speaker 1: I think it's called so is this an issue here 109 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:29,160 Speaker 1: where you know, where guards don't trust the commissioner. 110 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 2: Is one of the main factors to Katie, they have 111 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 2: no faith in Commissioner Valley. They still have their live 112 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:41,800 Speaker 2: vote of no confidence against the Commissioner. They feel that 113 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 2: the Commissioner is executive team are not championing for them. 114 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:47,119 Speaker 2: They feel really let down. 115 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:50,839 Speaker 1: I guess it's like it's a really interesting thing now 116 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:53,320 Speaker 1: for the public to kind of be hearing, you know, 117 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 1: what's going on, what we're hearing from you obviously what 118 00:06:55,800 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 1: we're hearing from Commissioner Vali. But yesterday the commission it 119 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:03,840 Speaker 1: also revealed the amount of overtime that staff are then 120 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: receiving through corrections. I mean, twenty two million dollar blowout 121 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 1: to the budget is obviously a huge thing for him 122 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: to try to bring down. But also then when you're 123 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,280 Speaker 1: looking at the twenty five guards, I think he said 124 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 1: he's twenty five top tier guards or top guards had 125 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 1: received an additional three million dollars combined in overtime. Like 126 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:28,080 Speaker 1: you've got to admit it's it's clearly a tough juggle 127 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:31,119 Speaker 1: for him as the head of corrections as well trying 128 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 1: to manage that budget like twenty two million bucks. I mean, 129 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 1: you and I have spoken about the cuts to or 130 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 1: the funding needed for our paramedics, for our ambulance service. 131 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: See it will go a long. 132 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 2: Way, right, Well, absolutely, Katie. But I think one of 133 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 2: the things that Commission Valley has not shared with people. 134 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 2: His overtime is not budgeted for it. So the current 135 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 2: budget he's got from the government does not include overtime, 136 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 2: So this is where he's got a huge blowout. Also, 137 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:04,560 Speaker 2: is overtime keeps the prison running. So if officers stop 138 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:07,679 Speaker 2: doing over time, you wouldn't be able to the prison 139 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 2: would absolutely stop. The system would completely stop. There is 140 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 2: so much overtime going in there because they cannot get officers. 141 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 2: They may put on twenty officers, but in the following 142 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 2: couple of months, twenty officers are leaving. And my big 143 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 2: concern is about Commission of Valley talking about the cost 144 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:29,920 Speaker 2: of overtime and his budget, he never addresses the fatigue 145 00:08:30,400 --> 00:08:33,200 Speaker 2: of these officers. This is a huge safety risk. There 146 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 2: is an obligation put on these officers to take up 147 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 2: this exorbitant overtime because they are concerned about leaving their 148 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:44,280 Speaker 2: other officers at risk because of short staffing. 149 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:46,719 Speaker 1: So, Erina, what would you say to our listeners this 150 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:49,920 Speaker 1: morning that are maybe sort of thinking to themselves, Oh goodness, 151 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 1: may you know this just needs to be sorted out. 152 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 1: We need to stop these games. What would you say 153 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 1: to them? 154 00:08:57,240 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 2: I really think, Katie, that I think people need to 155 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:02,720 Speaker 2: realize and a lot of people know a correctional officer, 156 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 2: they know the position they're in. That these correctional officers 157 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 2: a grieving over the death in custody. They're exhausted, they 158 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:15,000 Speaker 2: are faced continue assaults this year. They've got a correction 159 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:18,320 Speaker 2: system that is broken and it continued not to be fixed. 160 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:24,200 Speaker 2: It's a band aid solution. They're constantly accused of, you know, 161 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:27,200 Speaker 2: blowing out the overtime budget. They're not blowing out the 162 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 2: overtime budget. That is a budget that has not been 163 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 2: properly resourced. And if it wasn't for our officers working 164 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 2: these long hours to keep the system going, is they 165 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 2: wouldn't have a correctional services at all. Our correctional officer 166 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 2: just seeking that support from territories is they've got a 167 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 2: hard job to do. Nobody likes their job, and I 168 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 2: think they're just asking for people to respect the risk 169 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 2: that they deal with every day, and they deserve to 170 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:56,200 Speaker 2: come home safe every day. 171 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:59,679 Speaker 1: And from your perspective, what would you know, what would 172 00:09:59,679 --> 00:10:03,160 Speaker 1: Realiz please sort of get this EBA across the line. 173 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:06,720 Speaker 2: I really think, Katie, if they came back and said 174 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:09,720 Speaker 2: we are not going to touch your safe staffing clause 175 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:14,600 Speaker 2: in the enterprise agreement, that will significantly move all the officers, 176 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:17,360 Speaker 2: and then we have it. We've probably gone the opportunity 177 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 2: now to actually start negotiating with EA. 178 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:23,400 Speaker 1: Well Erina Early, good to speak with you this morning. 179 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 1: Always appreciate your times. Thank you for joining us on 180 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:26,560 Speaker 1: the show. 181 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 2: Thank you so much, Katie for don't hear from you. 182 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 2: Have a lovely Easter weekend you too, Thank you