PSA CPSU NSW Podcast

Our state's icons are at risk due to Covid-19. In the next few weeks, a collaborative campaign between the PSA and MEAA, the media, entertainment and arts alliance - will be rolled out highlighting the plight of our affected members in some of the state's most iconic institutions. These include Taronga Zoo, Art Gallery of NSW, Powerhouse Museum and the Sydney Opera House. 

Today is May Day, and although we're unable to march as workers united, through technology we are still able to express our solidarity. On the podcast this week we chat with Campaigns & Communications Manager at the PSA Marianne Ledic on the importance of May Day in the face of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

This week on the podcast, we talk with POVB delegates and senior correctional officers Natalie Howes and Darren King on the coordinated efforts between members, staff and CSNSW to control any Coronavirus outbreaks amongst inmates in NSW Prisons.

CPSU NSW Assistant Secretary Troy Wright is on the podcast this week discussing all that the union is doing to help university staff affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

As COVID-19 spreads throughout the country, the PSA/CPSU NSW has arranged temporary emergency ambulance cover for all eligible members. This week's podcast highlights the latest new member benefit.

On the podcast this week we chat with POVB Chairperson Nicole Jess on the restrictions placed on inmates during the Covid-19 pandemic. The good, the bad and what it all means for the staff who work in corrective services.

Should the NSW Government inject more resources to hiring in the public service? We talk to Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright about The economic theory that the NSW government should do so as a measure to stem the massive increase to the unemployment across the state as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

In a special edition of the PSA/CPSU NSW Podcast, we look at what was said by Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet on the stimulus package offered to small business in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

This week we hear from Shay Deguara, Manager of Industrial Support which includes WHS who outlines the working provisions that are in place and available for members. You can read more about these Premier's Circular Measures here: https://arp.nsw.gov.au/c2020-01-employment-arrangements-during-covid-19/

For International Women's Day 2020, the PSA/CPSU podcast presents an audio documentary featuring members, delegates and staff answering one simple question; What does International Women's Day mean to you?

The 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is on this weekend and to celebrate, the PSA's Glenn Duncan and Mary Jo Costache take over the podcast to interview RFS Delegate Jim Killen and POVB Chair Nicole Jess (who is attending her very first parade!)

'Stand TALR' - The unique mental health initiative designed specifically for prisons across Australasia - was launched at long bay and will be rolled out across the state with the backing of the PSA, POVB and Corrective Services NSW. We chat to POVB Chair and Vice-Chair Nicole Jess and Jason Charlton about the benefits of the program.

The south coast of NSW is home to the historic towns of Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba. This weeks podcast tells the story of the remote area firefighters (RAFT) teams who were deployed to save these beautiful towns from being lost to the annals of history.

This week, we look into the viability of the NSW Government's continued scoping study of Forestry Corporation. A method designed to assess the privatisation of the government entity at a time when 40% of the trees associated have been destroyed due to the unprecedented bushfires.

On the podcast this week, Stewart Little and Kim DeGovrik join Jim Minns on a tour of the bushfire affected regions around the Blue Mountains National Park, Lithgow and Mudgee. They each give an account of the 80% world heritage bushland that was destroyed due to the unprecedented events.

We speak to PSA Member Dr Brett Summerell about the efforts NSW Botanists are going to to save and regenerate plant life in NSW once the bushfire season subsides.

‘The worst fire season ever recorded’ has meant the end to 2019 will go down in infamy for many. This week we talk with RFS state mitigation crew leader and active volunteer Ben Plummer about what he has seen on the frontlines.

On the podcast we sit down with Stewart Little, the PSA general secretary to discuss the highs and lows of 2019 and the vision and projected outcomes of the PSA moving forward in 2020 and beyond.

Part 2 of our sit down with Stewart Little, the PSA general secretary to discuss the highs and lows of 2019 and the vision and projected outcomes of the PSA moving forward in 2020 and beyond.

This week, we hear from Water NSW delegates as they fight mental fatigue regarding water allocation to regions affected by drought. Also - Kim De Govrik gives an eyewitness account of the fire damaged Greater Blue Mountains region and the possible implications for Sydney's drinking water.

The NSW Government have put 200 jobs in TAFE on the chopping block mere weeks before Christmas. This cowardly act and the response by the CPSU delegates are what drives our podcast this week as we submit an action with the Fair Work Commission.

This week the threat to funding independent agencies is put front and centre as the Berejiklian government ask the auditor-general to review four key bodies. Also, Corrections Minister Anthony Roberts visits PSA House to address POVB delegates.

As NSW faced a catastrophic fire category this week, the NSW Government (in particular deputy Premier John Barilaro) was critical of the role National Parks and Wildlife Service has played in hazard reduction. This week's podcast attempts to set the record straight on the many inaccuracies purported by the NSW government.

The Forestry Corporation of NSW are responsible for many risk mitigating activities that help save lives. This week we shine a light on these often unsung heroes.

On the podcast this week, we sit in on a Care and Resilience training session at the office of the NSW Ombudsman. Also - an independent review into the states youth justice facilities recommends 63 changes to the network, all welcomed by the PSA.