Union requires higher staff compensation deal for corrections employees | The Maitland Mercury

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The union, which supports NSW prison staff, is again calling on its members to have access to the same worker compensation benefits as other frontline workers who are exposed to potential hazards at work every day. However, the state’s corrective agency says the comparison of employee compensation benefits is “complex”. In 2012, changes were made to the Workers Compensation Act of 1987 that affected many public sector workers. The Public Service Association this week pointed to changes being introduced at this time, including new caps and deadlines for payments, as well as an increased threshold for permanent compensation claims. The police, fire brigade and paramedics were excluded from the changes. The union argues that correction officers should have the same exemptions as other frontline workers because they face similar conditions – along with less choice in terms of the risk they face at work compared to many other jobs. The problem is particularly relevant in the Hunter Region, which has four prisons including the Shortland, Cessnock and Hunter Corrections in Cessnock and the St. Heliers Facility in Muswellbrook. Corrective Services NSW employs around 750 people in the hunter’s courts and in four prisons. Public Service Association secretary-general Stewart Little said prison officials were on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic – this was on top of the dangers of potential violence they have already faced every day. “They deserve to recognize this risk and to reassure themselves that in the worst case scenario they will be looked after,” said Little. A proofreading service NSW [CSNSW] The spokesman said the agency would continue to support employees in the workplace. “CSNSW employees who have been injured at work receive benefits under the State Workers’ Compensation Act, and we do our best to ensure that employees get back to work as soon as possible after an accident or injury,” she said. “Comparing employee compensation benefits is complex, but any change in the system is a government responsibility.”

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The union, which supports NSW prison staff, is again calling on its members to have access to the same worker compensation benefits as other frontline workers who are exposed to potential hazards at work every day.

However, the state’s corrective agency says the comparison of employee compensation benefits is “complex”.

In 2012, changes were made to the Workers Compensation Act of 1987 that affected many public sector workers.

The Public Service Association this week pointed to changes being introduced at this time, including new caps and deadlines for payments, as well as an increased threshold for permanent compensation claims.

The police, fire brigade and paramedics were excluded from the changes.

The union argues that correction officers should have the same exemptions as other frontline workers because they face similar conditions – along with less choice in terms of the risk they face at work compared to many other jobs.

The problem is particularly relevant in the Hunter Region, which has four prisons including the Shortland, Cessnock and Hunter Corrections in Cessnock and the St. Heliers Facility in Muswellbrook.

Corrective Services NSW employs around 750 people in the hunter’s courts and in four prisons.

Public Service Association secretary-general Stewart Little said prison officials were on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic – this was on top of the dangers of potential violence they have already faced every day.

“They deserve to recognize this risk and to reassure themselves that in the worst case scenario they will be looked after,” said Little.

A proofreading service NSW [CSNSW] The spokesman said the agency would continue to support employees in the workplace.

“CSNSW employees who have been injured at work receive benefits under the State Workers’ Compensation Act, and we do our best to ensure that employees get back to work as soon as possible after an accident or injury,” she said.

“Comparing employee compensation benefits is complex, but any change in the system is a government responsibility.”